Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Laura Zapata, Co-Founder of Clearloop
By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021
Tell us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with companies of all sizes to help them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to tidy energy by constructing brand-new solar projects in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the building of new solar capacity thats determined in watts, not watt-hours, with a new financing structure that enables a broader selection of business to take part, while likewise being deliberate about the communities where were investing to accomplish an equitable tidy energy future. We just recently began on our first utility-connected solar task in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be focusing on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we tackle both dirty grids and financially distressed communities with our solar projects
.
What challenges do you deal with? Why?
Among the most significant difficulties for us, as a fairly new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is earning trustworthiness with industry leaders who may be utilized to doing things a particular method. Clearloop is challenging some of the conventional methods which brand-new solar developments have actually been funded, and bringing attention to brand-new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the business procurement discussion. Im a real follower that our viewpoint from the middle of the country, and our lived experiences as creators from really various backgrounds, has actually brought into focus why we need more innovative solutions to help tidy up the grid. Weve been motivated by corporate partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, as well as brand names like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove purchased reclaiming their carbon footprint by helping us construct our very first solar task. Weve also had the great fortune of discovering similar organizations like ACORE who acknowledge the worth of bringing varied point of views to cleaning up the grid and have really developed a program like Accelerate to ensure we have a seat at the table
.
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation features industry leaders and topics associated with accelerating an equitable and simply shift to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are thriving in the sustainable energy sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member company founded by 3 Tennesseans who wish to make sure that the development and benefits of renewable resource reach all communities around our country equally, beginning with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left. 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 start your company?
Clearloop started as an idea that changed into a business. In the early days– even before we had actually chosen the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more companies need to buy cleaning up the electricity grid so those dollars can be invested improving the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is restricted. For me, as one of three creators, this company was influenced by the desire to bring clearness to a big issue with a simple solution. We desired companies to take climate action in the same neighborhood that invited my family as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the path was uncertain
.
Clearloop began as an idea that changed into a company. In the early days– even prior to we had chosen on the name– we were checking out the theory that more companies require to invest in cleaning up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be invested increasing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited. Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with companies of all sizes to assist them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and expand access to clean energy by constructing brand-new solar jobs in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you dont require to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase arrangement to assist develop brand name brand-new solar jobs. Even huge business that have led the way in renewable energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the most significant chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they may have little control over reduction strategies or where decreases may not be instant.
For more information about Clearloop, check out https://clearloop.us/.
###.
How can potential partners work with you?
Were proving that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase agreement to help develop brand new solar projects. Even huge companies that have led the way in renewable energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the greatest piece of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over reduction techniques or where decreases might not be instant.