Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Laura Zapata, Co-Founder of Clearloop
By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation includes industry leaders and subjects associated with accelerating an equitable and simply transition to a sustainable energy economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are prospering in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member company established by 3 Tennesseans who wish to make certain that the development and advantages of sustainable energy reach all communities around our country 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 start your business?
Clearloop started as a concept that changed into a company. In the early days– even before we had chosen on the name– we were checking out the theory that more business require to invest in cleaning up the electricity grid so those dollars can be spent increasing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited. For me, as one of three creators, this business was motivated by the desire to bring clearness to a large issue with a simple option. We wanted business to take climate action in the very same neighborhood that welcomed my household as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the course was unclear
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How can potential partners work with you?
Were proving that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase arrangement to assist build brand brand-new solar projects. Even big business that have actually led the way in renewable energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the greatest piece of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over decrease techniques or where reductions may not be instant.
Inform us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with companies of all sizes to assist them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to clean energy by developing new solar tasks in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the building of new solar capacity thats determined in watts, not watt-hours, with a new funding structure that allows a wider range of companies to get involved, while likewise being intentional about the neighborhoods where were investing to achieve a fair clean energy future. We 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 take on both filthy grids and economically distressed communities with our solar projects
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What obstacles do you face? Why?
One of the biggest difficulties for us, as a fairly brand-new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is making credibility with industry leaders who might be utilized to doing things a particular way. Clearloop is challenging some of the standard ways in which brand-new solar advancements have been funded, and bringing attention to new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement discussion.
Clearloop started as a concept that morphed into a business. In the early days– even prior to we had actually decided on the name– we were checking out the theory that more business need to invest in cleaning up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be invested improving the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited. Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with companies of all sizes to assist them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and expand access to clean energy by developing brand-new solar jobs in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you do not need to be a Fortune 500 company with the ability to sign a power purchase arrangement to help develop brand new solar jobs. Even huge business that have actually led the method in renewable energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the biggest portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they might have little control over reduction techniques or where reductions may not be instant.
To get more information about Clearloop, go to https://clearloop.us/.
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