Kristal Hansley: The Visionary Behind the First Black-Owned Solar Energy Company – A Black Enterprise Feature

In an inspiring Black Enterprise feature, Kristal Hansley, the founder and CEO of WeSolar, is recognized as a trailblazer for becoming the first Black woman to launch a Black-owned solar energy company in the U.S. Kristal’s leadership in the community solar industry is not only breaking new ground in renewable energy but also driving much-needed change in the fight for energy equity.

The article highlights Kristal’s journey from working in policy and community advocacy to becoming a solar entrepreneur. Her experiences in Washington, D.C., where she played a key role in passing community solar legislation, sparked her passion for bringing clean energy to underserved communities. This passion became the foundation for WeSolar, a company committed to democratizing access to solar power and ensuring that low-income households can benefit from affordable, renewable energy solutions.

WeSolar’s community solar model allows residents to subscribe to local solar farms and receive credits on their utility bills, making clean energy accessible to people who might not have the ability to install solar panels on their own homes. This approach helps reduce energy costs while also empowering communities to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Kristal’s role as a Black female entrepreneur in the renewable energy space is especially significant in an industry where both women and people of color are vastly underrepresented. In the feature, she speaks about the challenges she faced as a woman of color breaking into the predominantly white, male-dominated solar industry—and how these challenges only motivated her to push harder for change.

Her mission extends beyond just providing clean energy; Kristal is also dedicated to creating economic opportunities within the green energy sector for Black communities and other marginalized groups. By leading WeSolar, Kristal is setting an example for future generations of Black entrepreneurs and showing that renewable energy can be both inclusive and transformative.

To learn more about Kristal Hansley’s groundbreaking work and her mission to bring solar energy to underserved communities, read the full feature on Black Enterprise.