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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

To get more information about Clearloop, see https://clearloop.us/.
###.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the next installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment features industry leaders and topics associated with accelerating a fair and simply transition to a renewable energy economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are prospering in the renewable energy sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member business founded by three Tennesseans who wish to make sure that the development and advantages of renewable resource reach all neighborhoods around our country equally, beginning with the communities that have a history of getting left behind. Click on this link for more information 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
.
What inspired you to begin your company?
Clearloop began as a concept that changed into a company. In the early days– even prior to we had decided on the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more companies need to invest in cleaning up the electricity grid so those dollars can be spent enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is restricted.

Tell us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with business of all sizes to assist them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to clean energy by constructing brand-new solar jobs in American communities otherwise getting left. Were pioneering putting a carbon worth on the building and construction of new solar capacity thats determined in watts, not watt-hours, with a new financing structure that permits a wider variety of companies to get involved, while also being intentional about the communities where were investing to attain an equitable tidy energy future. We just recently began on our first utility-connected solar job in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be focusing on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we tackle both unclean grids and economically distressed neighborhoods with our solar jobs
.
What obstacles do you deal with? Why?
One of the greatest difficulties for us, as a relatively brand-new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is earning credibility with market leaders who may be utilized to doing things a specific method. Clearloop is challenging some of the standard methods which brand-new solar advancements have been funded, and accentuating new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement conversation. Im a real follower that our vantage point from the middle of the country, and our lived experiences as creators from really different backgrounds, has actually brought into focus why we need more imaginative solutions to help clean up the grid. Weve been motivated by business partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, in addition to brand names like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove purchased recovering their carbon footprint by helping us build our extremely first solar task. Weve likewise had the excellent fortune of discovering similar organizations like ACORE who acknowledge the value of bringing diverse perspectives to cleaning up the grid and have in fact constructed a program like Accelerate to ensure we have a seat at the table
.

Clearloop began as a concept that changed into a business. In the early days– even before we had decided on the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more companies 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. Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with companies of all sizes to help them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to clean energy by building new solar tasks in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were proving that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase contract to assist build brand name new solar tasks. Even huge business that have actually led the way in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the biggest chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they may have little control over decrease techniques or where reductions might not be immediate.

How can prospective partners do organization with you?
Were showing that you dont require to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase contract to help build brand name brand-new solar jobs. Even big business that have led the method in renewable resource procurement are now confronted with the reality that the biggest piece of their carbon footprint remains in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they may have little control over decrease techniques or where reductions might not be instant. That is where Clearloop comes in– were a new tool for businesses huge and little to take tangible climate action right now and help us decarbonize the grid in the places that require it one of the most. We need more imaginative ways to assist tackle the climate crisis in a manner that purchases the locations where that dollar creates more economic chance and social mobility for the neighborhoods where were constructing. Were firm followers that the environmental, health, and financial benefits of clean energy financial investments ought to reach all corners of our nation and were trying to find partners who are prepared to act
.