Kristal Hansley’s Mission to Empower Black Baltimore with Solar: A Gizmodo Feature

In a powerful Gizmodo feature, WeSolar CEO Kristal Hansley shares her vision for empowering Black communities in Baltimore through community solar. As the first Black woman to lead a community solar company in the U.S., Kristal is on a mission to address energy inequality and ensure that solar power is accessible to all—especially in underserved communities.

The article delves into Kristal’s journey, from her upbringing in Brooklyn to her work in Washington, D.C., where she helped pass legislation for community solar. These experiences shaped her drive to bring clean, affordable energy to neighborhoods like Baltimore, where residents often face high energy costs and limited access to renewable resources.

At the heart of Kristal’s mission is community solar, a model that allows residents to subscribe to a shared solar farm and receive credits on their energy bills—without needing to install solar panels themselves. This approach helps reduce energy costs and brings environmental and economic benefits to communities historically left out of the renewable energy conversation.

In the Gizmodo feature, Kristal emphasizes the importance of addressing the intersection of race, energy, and climate justice. She sees solar energy as a tool for economic empowerment, particularly in Black communities, where the impacts of climate change and energy inequity are often felt most deeply. By providing access to affordable solar power, Kristal is helping reduce the energy burden on low-income families while expanding WeSolar’s impact, she focusescontributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Kristal’s leadership at WeSolar is a testament to the power of Black entrepreneurship and the role of renewable energy in driving social change. As she continues expanding WeSolar’s impact, she focuses on empowering communities like Baltimore to take control of their energy futures.

Read the full feature on Gizmodo to learn more about Kristal Hansley’s inspiring work and her vision for a more equitable and sustainable energy landscape.