In a recent Grist feature titled “The Great Green Energy Divide,” Kristal Hansley, founder and CEO of WeSolar, sheds light on the growing disparities in the renewable energy sector, mainly how underserved communities are often left out of the benefits of clean energy. As the first Black woman to own a community solar company in the U.S., Kristal is uniquely positioned to speak about the intersection of energy equity and environmental justice.
The article and accompanying podcast episode dive into low-income and marginalized communities' barriers to accessing renewable energy like solar power. Kristal shares how her company, WeSolar, is bridging the gap by offering community solar solutions that allow residents to subscribe to local solar farms and receive credits on their energy bills without needing costly panel installations.
In the Grist feature, Kristal emphasizes the critical need for policy changes prioritizing equitable access to clean energy for all communities, especially those historically underserved and disproportionately affected by climate change. She advocates for stronger governmental support to ensure that renewable energy solutions like community solar are accessible to the people who need them most.
Kristal’s work with WeSolar is driven by her belief that clean energy should be a right, not a privilege, and that solar power has the potential to uplift communities by providing both economic relief and environmental benefits. Through community solar, WeSolar is helping to close the energy divide by offering affordable renewable energy options to households that have traditionally been left out of the solar conversation.
To hear Kristal Hansley’s insights on the green energy divide and how community solar can play a role in solving it, read and listen to the full feature on Grist.