Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Laura Zapata, Co-Founder of Clearloop

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

Inform us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with business of all sizes to help them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and expand access to clean energy by building brand-new solar projects in American communities otherwise getting left behind. As we grow, Clearloop will be focusing on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we deal with both dirty grids and economically distressed communities with our solar tasks
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What difficulties do you face? Why?
One of the greatest challenges for us, as a relatively new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is making reliability with market leaders who might be utilized to doing things a certain way. Clearloop is challenging a few of the conventional methods which new solar developments have actually been funded, and accentuating new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the corporate procurement conversation. Im a real believer that our viewpoint from the middle of the nation, and our lived experiences as founders from extremely various backgrounds, has brought into focus why we need more imaginative services to assist clean up the grid. Weve been motivated by corporate partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, along with brands like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove bought reclaiming their carbon footprint by assisting us build our really first solar job. Weve also had the terrific fortune of finding similar companies like ACORE who acknowledge the worth of bringing diverse perspectives to tidying up the grid and have actually built a program like Accelerate to ensure we have a seat at the table
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Clearloop began as a concept that morphed into a company. In the early days– even before we had actually decided on the name– we were testing out the theory that more business require to invest in cleaning up the electricity grid so those dollars can be invested improving the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is restricted. Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with business of all sizes to assist them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to tidy energy by developing brand-new solar projects in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were proving that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 company with the ability to sign a power purchase contract to assist construct brand name brand-new solar jobs. Even big companies that have led the method in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the biggest chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they may have little control over decrease strategies or where decreases might not be instant.

To find out more about Clearloop, see https://clearloop.us/.
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The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the next installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation includes market leaders and topics connected to speeding up an equitable and just shift to a renewable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are growing in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member company established by three Tennesseans who wish to make sure that the innovation and advantages of renewable resource reach all communities around our nation equally, beginning with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left. Click HERE to read more about Clearloops effect.
The following is a Q&A with Clearloop Co-Founder Laura Zapata and Constance Thompson, ACOREs Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs
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What inspired you to begin your company?
Clearloop started as a concept that morphed into a company. In the early days– even before we had decided on the name– we were testing out the theory that more business need to invest in cleaning up the electricity grid so those dollars can be invested increasing the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is limited.

How can possible partners work with you?
Were showing that you do not need to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase agreement to assist build brand brand-new solar projects. Even huge business that have led the method in sustainable energy procurement are now confronted with the truth that the most significant portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they may have little control over reduction strategies or where decreases might not be instant. That is where Clearloop can be found in– were a new tool for services huge and little to take concrete environment action today and help us decarbonize the grid in the places that require it one of the most. We require more creative ways to assist deal with the environment crisis in such a way that purchases the places where that dollar creates more economic chance and social mobility for the communities where were constructing. Were firm followers that the ecological, health, and economic advantages of clean energy financial investments should reach all corners of our country and were trying to find partners who are ready to do something about it
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