Solar Maverick Podcast

By Benoy ThanjanBusiness Science Careers Natural Sciences

Solar Maverick Podcast episodes

February 12, 2019SMP 15: Colombia Solar Market Discussion with Benoy and Li
About our Guest:

Benoy Thanjan

Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy and he is also an advisor for several solar startup companies. Reneu Energy is a premier international solar energy consulting firm and developer and the company focuses on developing commercial and industrial solar and utility scale solar plus storage projects. The company also sources financing for solar projects and hedges energy and environmental commodities. Reneu Energy has brokered $27 million in environmental commodities transactions.

Benoy received his first experience in Finance as an intern at D.E. Shaw & Co., which is a global investment firm with 37 billion dollars in investment capital. Before founding Reneu Energy, he was the SREC Trader in the Project Finance Group for SolarCity which merged with Tesla in 2016. He originated SREC trades with buyers and co-developed their SREC monetization and hedging strategy with the senior management of SolarCity to move into the east coast markets. Benoy also worked at Vanguard Energy Partners, Ridgewood Renewable Power, and Deloitte & Touche.

Li Wang

A life-long journalist and communications professional, Li Wang was hooked on the news as an intern at the Philadelphia Daily News during the summer of the O.J. trial. He has been a business reporter, arts editor and film critic. He has shifted his focus to digital marketing and creative services. His company, MJ Wang Media, develops brand messaging and identity through website design and content marketing.

Episode Summary

Li and Benoy discuss Benoy’s recent trip to Colombia and attendance of the El Futuro Solar de Colombia conference. While reviewing the current changes of renewable energy in Colombia and what is driving those, they also review how cultural differences can impact international business. From an entrepreneurial perspective, they provide strategies on maximizing the time spent at industry conferences, how to gain recognition and become known as an expert in your industry.

Insight from this episode:
How foreign languages can benefit an entrepreneur.
How investment returns are driving American capital to international markets.
How cultural expectations can vary when working in international markets.
Strategies for maximizing your time at industry conferences.
Ways to become known as an expert in your field.
Strategies to improve your network.
How to improve your personal brand and recognition through consistent social media posts and website updates.
Quotes from the show:
In regards to the renewable energy market in Colombia: “It sounds like there is a lot of opportunity with some hard work to put in there, to gain some traction there.” Li Wang, Episode #15.
“Colombia is going to be a great market.” Benoy Thanjan, Episode #15.
It’s never easy and especially in a new market that nothing has been done yet, so it’s really about coming up with creative solutions.” Benoy Thanjan, Episode #15.
“Having a working knowledge of the language makes a huge difference because you are able to communicate with people directly instead of through a translator.” Benoy Thanjan, Episode #15.
In regards to industry conferences: “Obviously the content is very important...but it’s really about getting in front of people, building that relationship which takes time. It’s not just about picking up business cards and emailing.” Benoy Thanjan, Episode #15.
“The point being, the internet is wide open and you should claim your little piece of real estate on the internet if you haven’t already.” Li Wang, Episode #15.
“If you can stand out a little bit in your personal brand, it’s going to pay off usually, because you’ll get noticed.”Li Wang, Episode #15.

Resources Mentioned:
El Futuro Solar de Colombia
Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
LinkedIn.com/bthanjan
Facebook: Reneu Energy
www.reneuenergy.com
[email protected]

Li Wang:
MJWangMedia.com
Instagram: @liwang22
31 min
February 06, 2019SMP 14: How Institutional Investment Capital is Transforming the Renewable Energy Market with Thom Byrne
About our Guest:

Benoy Thanjan

Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy and he is also an advisor for several solar startup companies. Reneu Energy is a premier international solar energy consulting firm and developer and the company focuses on developing commercial and industrial solar and utility scale solar plus storage projects. The company also sources financing for solar projects and hedges energy and environmental commodities. Reneu Energy has brokered $27 million in environmental commodities transactions.

Benoy received his first experience in Finance as an intern at D.E. Shaw & Co., which is a global investment firm with 37 billion dollars in investment capital. Before founding Reneu Energy, he was the SREC Trader in the Project Finance Group for SolarCity which merged with Tesla in 2016. He originated SREC trades with buyers and co-developed their SREC monetization and hedging strategy with the senior management of SolarCity to move into the east coast markets. Benoy also worked at Vanguard Energy Partners, Ridgewood Renewable Power, and Deloitte & Touche.

Thom Byrne

Thom Byrne is the Founder and CEO of Clean Capital; a financial technology company that makes it easy to invest in clean energy. Clean Capital has built a proprietary technology platform that identifies, screens, and manages clean energy projects enabling project owners an opportunity to exit their portfolios while providing accredited investors, including institutional investors, family offices, and investment funds, unique access to the clean energy investment market.

Thom received his start in environmental projects with Waterkeeper Alliance, where he helped launch local environmental organizations. After graduating from Berkeley Law school, he received extensive experience in the renewable energy finance arena through the law firms, Chadbourne and Parke, and then Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld. Using his experience, Thom dove deeper into renewable energy asset with True Green Capital, before founding Clean Capital.

Episode Summary

Thom Byrne shares how as an entrepreneur, he addressed calculated risks to create Clean Capital, a company now providing investment opportunities in the tens of millions of dollars for solar energy. As opposed to smaller investments in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, what was once just a vision, is now injecting tremendous amounts of capital into the solar energy market not just domestically, but internationally as well.

Insight from this episode:
How increasing larger institutional capital is vital for growing the renewable energy space.
How technology plays a key role in efficient investments.
What to look for in a potential market for investment.
Strategies for finding solutions to getting capital into new markets.
What macro drivers are affecting the Solar market today.
How to determine if being an entrepreneur is right for you and if your idea should go to market.

Quotes from the show:
“We always wanted to be mission oriented.” Thom Byrne, Episode 14
In regards to the renewable energy market: “Yes you can make money doing it, but it’s an important challenge to be trying to solve.” Thom Byrne, Episode 14
In regards to being an entrepreneur: “Life’s too short and the risk you perceive is not as big a risk as it really is. It’s more fearful when you look out at the risk than when you’re actually living in it.” Thom Byrne, Episode 14
In regards to being an entrepreneur: “There is a risk tolerance that you have to find acceptable. I think most people don’t find it acceptable and they don’t get into entrepreneurship but I would encourage people to evaluate the risk in the grand scheme of things and if you do that, you may find that it’s much more tolerable.” Thom Byrne, Episode 14
In regards to being an entrepreneur: “It’s better to try than to have regret.” Benoy Thanjan, Episode 14
“If you have the appetite to do it, to be an entrepreneur, you have to do it. That bug is not going to go away and you don’t want to wake up with grandchildren and just a story about something you were going to do, rather than having actually tried to do it.” Thom Byrne, Episode 14
“Everyone is talking about storage and how in the market, tariffs and costs continue to go down.” Benoy Thanjan, Episode 14
“A statistic the World Economic Forum put out, is that .5% of any institutional capital being put out is for clean energy.” Thom Byrne, Episode 14
Resources Mentioned:
“Taming the Sun: Innovations to Harness Solar Energy and Power the Planet” by Varun Sivaram
“The Grid: The Fraying Wires Between Americans and Our Energy Future” by Gretchen Bakke

Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
LinkedIn.com/bthanjan
Facebook: Reneu Energy
www.reneuenergy.com
[email protected]

Thom Byrne
www.cleancapital.com
Experts Only Podcast
Linkedin: CleanCapital
Facebook: @CleanCapitalCo
Twitter: @CleanCapital_
[email protected]
32 min
January 29, 2019SMP 13: How to develop a great solar project and many other interesting topics about solar and entrepreneurship with Jim Spano from Spano Partners
About our Guest:

Benoy Thanjan

Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy and he is also an advisor for several solar startup companies. Reneu Energy is a premier international solar energy consulting firm and developer and the company focuses on developing commercial and industrial solar and utility scale solar plus storage projects. The company also sources financing for solar projects and hedges energy and environmental commodities. Reneu Energy has brokered $27 million in environmental commodities transactions.

Benoy received his first experience in Finance as an intern at D.E. Shaw & Co., which is a global investment firm with 37 billion dollars in investment capital. Before founding Reneu Energy, he was the SREC Trader in the Project Finance Group for SolarCity which merged with Tesla in 2016. He originated SREC trades with buyers and co-developed their SREC monetization and hedging strategy with the senior management of SolarCity to move into the east coast markets. Benoy also worked at Vanguard Energy Partners, Ridgewood Renewable Power, and Deloitte & Touche.

Jim Spano

Founder and Managing Director of Spano Partners, Jim Spano retired from his own financial planning firm and has since spent over 30 years in the Real Estate and Solar space. Using his lengthy experience, he was able to recover from the negative effects of the real estate market crash by paving the way for solar developments. From Vice-President of the Mid-Atlantic Solar Energy Industries Association, a participant of the International Battery and Energy Storage Alliance, and the creator of Spano Partners and Radiant REIT, Jim is an accomplished entrepreneur and industry influencer.

Episode Summary

Benoy and Jim discuss how utility scale and community solar are leading changes in the solar industry, in addition to the unprecedented shift in the cost of solar finance, as hard costs in building solar have little room to decrease. From policy involvement to networking, Jim shares invaluable insights into the solar industry, a successful career as an entrepreneur, and the incredible benefits and importance of philanthropic work.

Insight from this episode:
How to use your previous experience to hone your entrepreneurial skills.
Strategies for developing a successful solar development company.
How networking can differentiate you in your industry.
Strategies to not only promote your industry but also add more value to it.
Ways to make solar energy more affordable for those with lower incomes.
Why community solar power is becoming the latest trend in the solar industry.
Why understanding policy can create value in your business.
Ways to decrease hard and soft solar energy costs.
Why philanthropy is one area of business you don’t want to forget.

Quotes from the show:
In regards to the lack of access to solar options due to cost: “That was a huge need in the market that’s not there, obviously, lowering the cost of financing. We find it (financing) is one of the highest expenses.” Benoy Thanjan, Episode #13.
“We are now where we know that the hard costs cannot continue to be reduced so now we are looking at ways to reduce soft costs, and that’s the direction that the industry should be going.” Jim Spano, Episode #13.
“The key to successful solar development is understanding how the impact that the manner in which the project is developed, is viewed from a lender’s perspective.” Jim Spano, Episode #13.
“Having as much at the highest incentive levels that you can, when you develop a project, means that you’ve added more value into that project. That means the investor and yourself will do better and have a far more likelihood of achieving the financial goals that the investment was based upon.”Jim Spano, Episode #13.
“I think a lot of people look at things from (only) one perspective, but there are many people that are affected by this decision and there are a lot of variables that are changing within solar energy, that will impact costs to develop and build these projects.” Benoy Thanjan, Episode #13.
“That’s why there’s so much debate within the industry. You have different stakeholders with conflicting interests.”Jim Spano, Episode #13.
“One of the fastest growing sectors of solar is community solar.” Benoy Thanjan, Episode #13.
“We have to open these markets for lower income people.” Jim Spano, Episode #13.
“I think the most successful wealthy business people come to a point in their life that they realize that true happiness doesn’t come from self-gratification and having the biggest or fastest car, or the biggest home and all this nonsense. It really comes from putting a smile on someone’s face.” Jim Spano, Episode #13.
“I think the true key to happiness in this life...what really satisfies us...is knowing that we made someone else’s life better, easier.” Jim Spano, Episode #13.
“The most successful people actually fail the most, learn from that experience and then adapt.” Benoy Thanjan, Episode #13.
“Some of your best experiences and education comes from your failures; although I’d suggest you try to learn from other people’s failures first if you can!” Jim Spano, Episode #13.

Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
LinkedIn.com/bthanjan
Facebook: Reneu Energy
www.reneuenergy.com
[email protected]

Jim Spano
www.radiantreit.com
www.spanopartners.com
www.spanosolarenterprises.com
Linkedin
[email protected]
52 min
January 22, 2019SMP 12: Secrets of the Latin America Solar Market with Rik Teeuwen
About our Guest:

Rik Teeuwen is the Project Manager of Emerging Markets and Finance for Solarplaza, “Solarplaza organizes international high-level conferences and exploratory trade missions in both established and emerging markets across the globe. With a track-record spanning five continents, over thirty countries, fifty cities and a total of over one hundred events, Solarplaza is a pioneering industry inspirer.” a company focused on “accelerating the transition to solar energy across the world.” Rik is responsible for organizing and developing conferences in Latin America. He has made a career passionately working toward renewable energy growth.

Episode Summary

While hosting the El Futuro Solar Colombia, the first large scale conference in Colombia on solar resources, Rik sits down with Benoy to discuss the development of solar PV (the technology that converts sunlight into electricity) and renewable energy in up and coming markets. They discuss how these conferences aid in the renewable resource movement, help overcome obstacles and what Rik sees as notable trends in this industry.

Insight from this episode:
How environmental factors have directed Colombia towards a more renewable energy focus.
How Solar PV is gaining steam compared to other renewable resource alternatives.
Strategies on making renewable energy a more appealing market for developers in individual countries.
How emerging countries are responding to growth in the renewable resources market.
Ways that countries and developers are able to push through existing obstacles and barriers to renewable resources.
How current trends are affecting the renewable resource market.

Quotes from the show:
In regards to El Futuro Solar Colombia: “Everyone was being very transparent about the market. Usually when you go to conferences it’s very fluffy but people were really being very transparent.” Benoy Thanjan, Episode 12
“It’s the appetite that you try to awake with the real picture. You cannot fake it.” Rik Teeuwen, Episode 12
“They’re (Utility Companies) so focused on the way they’ve made money for years that its hard for them to grasp what’s coming next, and at the end of the day no matter how hard they make it to develop renewable energy products; specifically solar you aren’t going to stop it in the long run.” Benoy Thanjan, Episode 12
“Everyone is becoming more savvy or more capable of controlling their energy demand and use and that’s good. That’s brilliant.” Rik Teeuwen, Episode 12
“It’s an exciting time to be in the energy space, specifically solar. Also in the emerging markets because there’s a lot of economic opportunities that’s created based on having renewable resources and you know, most companies and business expenses is energy, and they’re able to lower their cost and use renewables at the same time.” Benoy Thanjan, Episode 12
“Solar is so scalable compared to other technologies” Benoy Thanjan, Episode 12
“The energy market is a very complicated; not for the well being of a whole community kind of energy source while Solar PV can be a very nice community driven or individual driven.” Rik Teeuwen, Episode 12
“Countries are saying we want to be energy independent, we want to be green and we want to be cheap”. Rik Teeuwen, Episode 12
“I think what’s amazing is that most of the people in this sector are trailblazing. The complexity, they’re are basically building and passionate about renewable energy.... It’s only the beginning of a very long growth cycle.” Benoy Thanjan, Episode 12
“Market after market succumbs to the Solar PV revolution.” Rik Teeuwen, Episode 12
Resources Mentioned:
El Futuro Solar Colombia
Solarplaza Upcoming Events

Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
LinkedIn.com/bthanjan
www.reneuenergy.com
[email protected]
Facebook: Reneu Energy

Rik Teeuwen
www.solarplaza.com
www.twitter.com/rikteeuwen
LinkedIn: Rik Teeuwen
[email protected]
46 min
January 15, 2019SMP 11: The marriage of roofing and solar: Innovative and economic solutions with Daryl Pilon and Bob Burwasser
About our Guests:

Daryl Pilon is the director of business development for Standard Solar, a vertically integrated commercial and industrial EPC company, providing superior solar energy solutions since 2004. Their goal is to invest their capital in new projects and drive the solar industry forward. Daryl comes from a background in engineering and worked on roofing systems before joining Standard Solar three years ago.

Bob Burwasser is the Northeast regional manager for Carlisle Construction Materials, a diversified manufacturer and supplier for building products and related materials for commercial construction markets. They prioritize energy efficiency and sustainability, working to lower a building’s carbon footprint and lower its energy consumption and associated costs.

Episode summary:
On the heels of a historic partnership between the solar company, Standard Solar, and the roofing and construction company, Carlisle Construction Materials, a representative from each company sat down with Benoy to talk about how their innovate solutions are changing the viability and longevity of rooftop solar arrays. Bob and Daryl each talk about their side of these innovations and their hopes for the partnership moving forward.

Insights from this episode:
How Carlisle goes about evaluating a roof
How Standard Solar and Carlisle Construction Materials have solved solar’s past roofing problems
How they’re able to offer solar projects and solid roofs at a lower cost
Strategies for getting your rooftop solar array off the ground

Quotes from the show:
“For the first time since man has walked upright, we now have a roofing membrane that can parallel the longevity of solar.” - Daryl Pilon, Episode #11
“When we’re done, that building has increased in value.” - Daryl Pilon, Episode #11
“For owners that were interested in solar and just couldn’t pursue it because of the roof cost, we’re going back to them now and it’s becoming a very viable opportunity.” - Bob Burwasser, Episode #11
On the partnership: “There’s a great match of people and there’s a great match of capability and competency.” - Daryl Pilon, Episode #11
More on the partnership: “We can take opportunities that exist out there and be able to very quickly bring them to a conclusion.” - Daryl Pilon, Episode #11
“We have two great companies that are very like minded in our goals and are very customer focused and I think with those elements, success is just around the corner.” - Daryl Pilon, Episode #11
On their roofing solutions: “I think it’s viable everywhere. I really do believe that.” - Daryl Pilon, Episode #11
“We’re all about mutually beneficial relationships.” - Daryl Pilon, Episode #11
“I think it’s nice that now we can lead the way. We can spearhead this thing and obviously we’re sharing it with the world, so we hope the world can be apart of it, but we’re going to lead the parade and I think it’s going be a great existence.” - Daryl Pilon, Episode #11

Stay connected:

Benoy Thanjan
LinkedIn.com/bthanjan
Facebook: Reneu Energy
www.reneuenergy.com
[email protected]

Daryl Pilon:
[email protected]

Bob Burwasser:
[email protected]
29 min
January 08, 2019SMP 10: Li and Benoy talk about their experiences as entrepreneurs
About our Hosts:

Benoy Thanjan

Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy and he is also an advisor for several solar startup companies. Reneu Energy is a premier international solar energy consulting firm and developer and the company focuses on developing commercial and industrial solar and utility scale solar plus storage projects. The company also sources financing for solar projects and hedges energy and environmental commodities. Reneu Energy has brokered $27 million in environmental commodities transactions.

Benoy received his first experience in Finance as an intern at D.E. Shaw & Co., which is a global investment firm with 37 billion dollars in investment capital. Before founding Reneu Energy, he was the SREC Trader in the Project Finance Group for SolarCity which merged with Tesla in 2016. He originated SREC trades with buyers and co-developed their SREC monetization and hedging strategy with the senior management of SolarCity to move into the east coast markets. Benoy also worked at Vanguard Energy Partners, Ridgewood Renewable Power, and Deloitte & Touche.

Li Wang

A life-long journalist and communications professional, Li Wang was hooked on the news as an intern at the Philadelphia Daily News during the summer of the O.J. trial. He has been a business reporter, arts editor and film critic. He has shifted his focus to digital marketing and creative services. His company, MJ Wang Media, develops brand messaging and identity through website design and content marketing.

Episode summary:
Li and Benoy each share their own journeys to entrepreneurship: what drew them in and the challenges they’ve faced along the way. They also share many of their personal hacks for success, drawing on the lessons they’ve learned and the habits they’ve developed over their entrepreneurial careers.

Insights from this episode:
How to build true, quality networks
Strategies for taking advantage of your current 9 to 5 if you’re looking to move toward entrepreneurship
Secrets to the character traits of a successful entrepreneur
Strategies for increasing the efficiency of your business
How to leverage good listening skills into closing sales
How to follow up without being annoying
Strategies for standing out in an interview
Strategies for organizing your day to get ahead

Quotes from the show:
“When he was upset about losing money on a deal, the advice from Li’s friend: “Don’t worry about it, money is a renewable resource.” - Li Wang, Episode #10
“The hardest part of entrepreneurship is the mental aspect, because you have to come up with a product or service that provides value but then also convince someone and sell that to them.” - Benoy Thanjan, Episode #10
“I always wanted to control my own destiny, and I felt like entrepreneurship was the way to get there.” - Benoy Thanjan, Episode #10
“I think that entrepreneurship is not for everyone.” - Benoy Thanjan, Episode #10
“You don’t have to do it completely your own.” - Li Wang, Episode #10
“The fortune is in the follow up.” - Li Wang, Episode #10
“You have to deliver on what you promise.” - Li Wang, Episode #10
Saying that you don’t have time for something just means you’re not prioritizing it. - Li Wang, Episode #10

Resources mentioned:
Squarespace
Mailchimp
Calendly
Square
Google Suite
Asana

Stay connected:

Benoy Thanjan
LinkedIn.com/bthanjan
Facebook: Reneu Energy
www.reneuenergy.com
[email protected]

Li Wang:

MJWangMedia.com
Instagram: @liwang22
35 min
January 01, 2019SMP 09: How David started his solar company with David Magid from YSG Solar
About our Guest:
David Magid is the founder of YSG Solar, a clean energy technology company based in New York City. They do project development and solar-array installment for residential, commercial and industrial clients with a focus on cost efficiency and promoting innovative generation, distribution and storage technologies. David has worked in a variety of aspects of the energy industry for over 10 years, including geothermal and wind energy, energy storage and energy management systems.

Episode summary:
David talks about how he got involved with the solar energy industry and eventually started his own company. His diverse background in clean energy technologies gives him a broad perspective on the many components at play within the industry. He offers insights on selling solar to residential customers and how that work has changed over the last decade.

Insights from this episode:
Strategies to cultivate your sales skills
How to approach residential customers about solar arrays
How New York can overcome the barriers to achieving its lofty energy goals
Tips on emerging opportunities and trends within solar and energy efficiency

Quotes from the show:
“It’s a very competitive landscape, which is great because I think it really brings out the innovation in the industry when you have that.” - David Magid, Episode 9
“Treat every single project like it’s your first project that you’re dealing with, and show it the respect that it deserves.” - David Magid, Episode 9
“It’s the holy grail. Storage is what we’ve been reading and studying about for years, and it’s finally coming so it’s a really exciting time.” - David Magid, Episode 9
About entering the solar industry today: “There’s so many places and roles to fill – policy, engineering, dealmaking – there’s a lot to get done and a lot of opportunity.” - David Magid, Episode 9
“We’re going under an energy revolution with renewables and everything else, it’s just a really exciting time in technology, and so I believe just like you, David, the sky is the limit for opportunity.” - Benoy Thanjan, Episode 9
On why he reads so much policy and follows it so closely: “We’re moving at such a fast pace that we need to study this market otherwise we’ll get eaten up.” - David Magid, Episode 9

Resources mentioned:
Making it in America: The Life and Times of Rocky Aoki, Benihana’s Pioneer
Stay connected:

Benoy Thanjan
LinkedIn.com/in/bthanjan
Facebook: Reneu Energy
www.reneuenergy.com
[email protected]

Li Wang:
MJWangMedia.com
Instagram: @liwang22

David Magid:
ysgsolar.com
LinkedIn.com/in/davidmagid
39 min
December 25, 2018SMP 08: How companies are reaching 100% renewable energy goals with Benoy and Li
About our Hosts:
Benoy Thanjan
Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy and he is also an advisor for several solar startup companies. Reneu Energy is a premier international solar energy consulting firm and developer and the company focuses on developing commercial and industrial solar and utility scale solar plus storage projects. The company also sources financing for solar projects and hedges energy and environmental commodities. Reneu Energy has brokered $27 million in environmental commodities transactions.
Benoy received his first experience in finance as an intern at D.E. Shaw & Co., which is a global investment firm with 37 billion dollars in investment capital. Before founding Reneu Energy, he was the SREC Trader in the Project Finance Group for SolarCity which merged with Tesla in 2016. He originated SREC trades with buyers and co-developed their SREC monetization and hedging strategy with the senior management of SolarCity to move into the east coast markets. Benoy also worked at Vanguard Energy Partners, Ridgewood Renewable Power, and Deloitte & Touche.

Li Wang
A life-long journalist and communications professional, Li Wang was hooked on the news as an intern at the Philadelphia Daily News during the summer of the O.J. trial. He has been a business reporter, arts editor and film critic. He has shifted his focus to digital marketing and creative services. His company, MJ Wang Media, develops brand messaging and identity through website design and content marketing.

Episode summary:
Benoy explains what it means when companies say they’re working toward becoming 100% renewable and how they go on to make that happen. He offers his insights on the risks involved in committing to purchasing 100% renewables and how he incorporates energy consciousness into his own every day life.

Insights from this episode:
Strategies for smaller companies to achieve 100% renewable
Secrets to reduce risk and save money when committing your business to a 100% renewable goal
How to support renewable energy and energy efficiency in your own life, and how that can translate into living a simpler life altogether
How decreasing costs of lithium ion batteries will revolutionize access to electric cars and solar storage
How increasing transparency in your company can improve its success

Quotes from the show:
On developing the SREC program for Solar City in Silicon Valley: “It was crazy going from having no volume, to basically then having a multimillion dollar portfolio where I was helping them broker those sort of transactions.” - Benoy Thanjan, Episode 8
“We have these big ideas but then we find reasons why it’s not going to work, but really we should be constantly pushing ourselves and thinking bigger and doing more than we think we can.” - Benoy Thanjan, Episode 8
“The most successful people or the most successful company is failing more than most and learning from it and adapting.” - Benoy Thanjan, Episode 8
“I believe every failure is supposed to happen.” - Benoy Thanjan, Episode 8
“You can’t take the present for granted.” - Benoy Thanjan, Episode 8
“Success and business and life are about being strategic. It’s about working hard, but it’s also about working smart and doing what you believe you want to do and what is your purpose.” - Benoy Thanjan, Episode 8
“Transparency Promotes Accountability” - Li Wang, Episode 8
“Talk is cheap, play the game” - Benoy Thanjan, Episode 8

Stay connected:
Benoy Thanjan
LinkedIn.com/in/bthanjan
Facebook: Reneu Energy
www.reneuenergy.com
[email protected]

Li Wang:
MJWangMedia.com
Instagram: @liwang22
41 min
December 18, 2018SMP 07: Getting down to Earth with Solar: Construction, quality control and O&M insights from Chris Grablutz
About our Guest:
Chris Grablutz is the director of business development for PV Pros, Inc., a nationwide solar maintenance company specializing in commercial and utility scale solar PV systems based in New Jersey. He is an owner’s engineer and operations and maintenance professional. He has worked in the industry for over a decade, designing and building solar PV arrays with a focus on quality control and longevity.

Episode Summary:
Chris talks about his background in the solar energy industry, drawing on his decade of experience to highlight what he has learned in terms of growing a successful business and navigating the solar energy world. Looking ahead, he offers insights on the future of energy storage and advice for anyone looking to enter the solar industry.

Insights from this Episode:
Strategies for navigating the ups and downs of the solar industry
Tips for designing strong and financially smart solar projects from an operations and maintenance perspective
Insights on what it will take to move energy storage tech forward
The secret to achieving those 100% renewable energy goals
Strategies for getting into the solar energy industry

Quotes from the Show:
“Smooth seas don’t make for good sailors and that’s what this industry is all about.” - Chris Grablutz, Episode 7
“As the industry changed, instead of trying to do new things, we decided to look back at what our core competency was.” - Chris Grablutz, Episode 7
On the small size and interconnectedness of the industry: “It’s almost sometimes musical chairs with people changing companies.” - Benoy Thanjan, Episode 7
Because of how small and interconnected the industry is: “Do whatever you can to make sure you end things amicably; you don’t ever burn a bridge.” - Chris Grablutz, Episode 7
On the importance of quality control while building a project: “There’s solar cells that were made 40 plus years ago that still provide power… We have to make sure that we get to that 25 years [warranty of modules] successfully, and then after that those are still contributing years.” - Chris Grablutz, Episode 7
On solar energy storage: “It’s there, it’s ready, it’s just new, and no one wants to make the quick decision, which is good. I think at this point we need to out our foot a little closer to the floor and come up with those financial mechanisms so that we can deploy more storage.” - Chris Grablutz, Episode 7
“In all reality, when everyone starts at that entry level position, the things that differentiate you are your knowledge of where you’re going, the things that you’ve done – your experiences, like internships or presenting your own personal research – and being able to differentiate yourself from other people, so that a hiring authority can say, ‘hey this person, they went after it harder than everyone else. They want this job and this is the person that I want on my team.’” - Chris Grablutz, Episode 7

Resources mentioned:
Clean Capital’s Experts Only podcast
The Energy Gang podcast
Suncast podcast
The Interchange podcast

Stay connected:
Benoy Thanjan
LinkedIn.com/in/bthanjan
Facebook: Reneu Energy
www.reneuenergy.com
[email protected]

Li Wang:
MJWangMedia.com
Instagram: @liwang22

Chris Grablutz:
LinkedIn.com/in/cgrablutz
[email protected]
Visit in person! @ 5 Marine View Plaza #301 Hoboken NJ 07030
36 min
December 11, 2018SMP 06: Why solar is a great industry to work in with Suzanne Waters from Reneu Energy
About our Guest:
Suzanne Waters is the vice president for business development at Reneu Energy. She has worked in a variety of roles within the solar industry, including project development administration, marketing best practices, financial strategy and team leadership. Suzanne and Benoy also worked together at Vanguard Energy Partners where she worked as the business development manager and proposal team leader. Her enthusiasm for the industry shines through in all her work.
Episode summary:
Suzanne talks about her career path in the solar industry, working in the industry right out of college, taking a hiatus and then finding her way back just a couple months ago. She shares why she’s so excited to be back and why she’s so passionate about solar.
Insights from this episode:
Strategies to get involved in the diversity of opportunities the solar industry offers
How to succeed in an industry everyone wants to be a part of
Strategies to build and maintain connections within the industry and why that’s essential to your success
How to do your work with integrity
Secrets from the inside – the best parts of working in solar
Quotes from the show:
“Solar is kind of a hard industry not to fall in love with once you get involved.” - Suzanne Waters, Episode 6
“After leaving Vanguard, I never quite had the same passion for my work than when I was in solar.” - Suzanne Waters, Episode 6
“Renewable energy, when you start talking about it, there’s nothing really negative people say about it.” - Suzanne Waters, Episode 6
“Don’t overlook quality for affordability.” - Suzanne Waters, Episode 6
“That’s the easiest sale – when people put in a good word or recommend you for a job.” - Benoy Thanjan, Episode 6
“Solar is growing exponentially, so there’s so much opportunity. “ - Benoy Thanjan, Episode 6
Suzanne’s self-invented call to action – “seize the sun” in Latin: “Carpe solem.” - Suzanne Waters, Episode 6

Stay connected:

Benoy Thanjan
LinkedIn.com/in/bthanjan
Facebook: Reneu Energy
www.reneuenergy.com
[email protected]

Li Wang:
MJWangMedia.com
Instagram: @liwang22
22 min

About Solar Maverick Podcast

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The Solar Maverick Podcast is the insiders guide to where the solar and energy markets meet entrepreneurship and trailblazing. Hosted by Benoy Thanjan - a serial entrepreneur and founder of Reneu…