In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan talks with Jon Semingson, President of Peak Demand, a leading recruitment firm focused on renewable energy and clean technology. Jon shares an inside look at how the intense growth of solar, storage and broader renewables is reshaping the talent market, what companies are doing right and wrong when hiring, and what candidates should focus on to stand out.

Benoy and Jon also dive into how recent policy changes and the “Big Beautiful Bill” landscape are influencing demand for specific skill sets, plus key takeaways from this year’s RE+ Las Vegas and what they signal about the future of the clean energy workforce.

What You’ll Learn In This Episode

Biographies

Benoy Thanjan

Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions.

Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla’s Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market.

As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm’s renewable portfolio.

Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund.

Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar.

Jon Semingson is the President of Peak Demand, a recruitment firm specializing in renewable energy, clean technology and the broader energy transition. Peak Demand partners with developers, IPPs, EPCs, manufacturers and investors to help them hire top talent across leadership, commercial, technical and operational roles.

Peak Demand focuses on long-term partnerships, understanding both company culture and candidate motivations to build teams that can scale in a fast-moving, highly competitive market like solar and storage.

Stay Connected:

Benoy Thanjan

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan

Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com

Website:  https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com

Jon Semingson

 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/solarrecruiter/     

 Website:  https://peakdemandinc.com/

  Email:  [email protected]

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Join Us for the Winter Solstice Fundraiser! 

I’m excited to invite you to our Winter Solstice Fundraiser, hosted by Reneu Energy and the Solar Maverick Podcast on Thursday, December 4th from 6–10 PM at Hudson Hall in Jersey City, NJ!

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/reneuenergy/1919391

This event brings together clean energy leaders, entrepreneurs, and friends to celebrate the season while raising funds for the Let’s Share the Sun Foundation, which installs solar and storage systems for families and communities in need in Puerto Rico.

We’ll have:

If you or your company would like to get involved as a sponsor, please message us at [email protected].