Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan interviews Maryssa Baron, Founder & CEO of BuildQ, an AI-powered platform transforming clean energy project development and finance.

Maryssa shares her journey from pioneering early PPAs to becoming an attorney and COO at a global IPP, before launching BuildQ. She explains how AI is reducing risk, cutting OPEX, and streamlining due diligence and financing.

They also discuss the impact of the Big Beautiful Bill, safe harbor challenges, and why unsubsidized solar remains competitive. Maryssa offers practical advice for entrepreneurs and insight into how AI is reshaping renewable energy.

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 MW 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.

Maryssa Barron

Maryssa Baron is the Founder & CEO of BuildQ, an AI-powered platform streamlining clean energy project development, financing, and M&A. With a background spanning PPA advisory, project finance, law, and executive leadership at a global IPP, Maryssa brings a unique perspective on solving the industry’s most complex challenges. She is also an attorney and passionate entrepreneur dedicated to accelerating the clean energy transition through technology and innovation.

Stay Connected:

Benoy Thanjan

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan

Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com

Maryssa Barron

Liinkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryssa-barron/

Website:  https://www.buildq.ai/

Email:  [email protected] 

Episode Summary:

Benoy Thanjan sits down with his co-host Nate Jovanelly, Founder & CEO of SunRaise Capital, to break down how the Big Beautiful Bill is reshaping residential solar. They discuss Section 25D’s removal, the surge in solar + storage, and innovative financing models like prepaid leases.

Biographies

Benoy Thanjan

Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, and a strategic advisor to multiple clean energy 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 company’s 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 projects. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MW 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.

Nathan Jovanelly

Nate is the CEO and Founder of SunRaise Capital’s mission is to provide affordable and accessible renewable energy options to homeowners, while reducing carbon footprints and creating a sustainable future for generations to come. They achieve their mission by partnering with industry leading solar installers to provide our customers with the best possible solar experience at competitive rates.

As the CEO of an innovative residential solar lease company, he spearheads strategic initiatives aimed at harmonizing the objectives of our funding partners, installation teams, and homeowners. With a relentless focus on alignment, he cultivates collaborative relationships to ensure mutual success and satisfaction across all stakeholders. Through innovative leadership and a commitment to transparency, he drives sustainable growth while delivering exceptional value to our investors, installers, and customers alike.

Stay Connected:

Benoy Thanjan

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan

Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com

Nathan Jovanelly

SunRaise Capital Website:  https://www.sunraisecapital.com/

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

Email:  [email protected]

Thank you to AMS Renewable Energy for Sponsoring this Episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast!

 This episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast is brought to you by our sponsor—AMS Renewable Energy.

AMS is a top-tier solar EPC that operates with the precision and mindset of a commercial general contractor. Headquartered in the Bronx, New York—and licensed nationwide—AMS has over 30 years of construction experience, tackling even the most complex solar projects with unmatched expertise and craftsmanship.

Whether it’s a challenging C&I rooftop, ground mount, or full turnkey solution, AMS is committed to best-in-class service and results that last.

If you're looking for a solar EPC partner who understands construction inside and out—AMS Renewable Energy should be at the top of your list.

Learn more at [ams-renewable.com] and tell them the Solar Maverick sent you!

Nate’s other interviews on the Solar Maverick Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/smp-205-revolutionizing-solar-finance-how-sunraise/id1441876259?i=1000702871242

SMP 194:  2025 Solar Outlook

https://solarmaverick.podbean.com/e/smp-194-2025-solar-outlook/

SMP 176:  REplus takeaways

https://solarmaverick.podbean.com/e/smp-176-replus-takeaways/

SMP 166: Residential Solar Trends

https://solarmaverick.podbean.com/e/smp-166-residential-solar-trends/

 SMP 150: How SunRaise Capital is innovating residential solar financing?

https://solarmaverick.podbean.com/e/smp-150-how-sunraise-capital-is-innovating-residential-solar-financing/

 Solar Maverick Episode 147:  RE+ Takeaways

https://solarmaverick.podbean.com/e/smp-147-re-conference-takeaways/

 Solar Maverick Episode 139: Opportunities and Challenges with the PJM Solar Market

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u14GHBkqcqo

 Solar Maverick Episode 134: 2023 Solar Predictions

https://solarmaverick.podbean.com/e/smp-134-2023-solar-predictations/

SMP 131:  How Technology and Software are innovating the Solar Industry?

https://solarmaverick.podbean.com/e/smp-131-how-technology-and-software-is-innovating-the-solar-industry/

 SMP 100: US Residential Solar, Storage, and Electric Vehicle Trends

https://solarmaverick.podbean.com/e/smp-100-us-residential-solar-storage-and-electric-vehicles-trends/

 SMP 74: Impact on COVID-19 on Residential Solar

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/smp-74-impacts-of-covid-19-on-residential-solar/id1441876259?i=1000475840259

 SMP 58:  Residential Solar Financing and Other Interesting Topics

https://podcasts.apple.com/tc/podcast/smp-58-residential-solar-financing-other-interesting/id1441876259?i=1000459212910

 SMP 20:  The Solar Intrapreneur Story:  How Nate helped IGS become one of the biggest solar asset owners in the US

https://podcasts.apple.com/tc/podcast/smp-20-solar-intrapreneur-story-how-nate-helped-igs/id1441876259?i=1000432329129

Welcome to our weekly Renewable Energy Briefing! Stay informed on the latest industry trends. Join us for a comprehensive analysis that combines expert commentary with up-to-the-minute news, offering you a strategic overview of the renewable energy market. Don't miss out on the crucial details that can impact your investment decisions. Tune in weekly for your essential dose of Renewable Energy insights!

Episode #31 Briefing Highlights: 

-NYSERDA launches the Index Storage Credit program

-M&A Roundup: Blackrock/AES talk, Savion/Ares JV, and FERC approves Constellation/Calpine deal

-Solar was the largest source of electricity across the EU in June

-New Quantum Dot tech expected to greatly improve solar panel efficiency

If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected].

Episode Overview

In this episode, Benoy Thanjan interviews Gabe Phillips, CEO of Catalyst Power Holdings, a company revolutionizing how commercial and industrial (C&I) customers access clean energy.  The conversation dives into the future of C&I solar, energy storage, demand response, and how Catalyst Power is empowering mid-sized businesses with creative, cost-saving clean energy solutions.

Key Quotes:

“We’re focused on the forgotten middle — C&I customers that are too big for rooftop-only and too small for full-blown utility-scale.”

“There’s a convergence of tech and finance in clean energy that’s finally unlocking the C&I market.”

“We’re not just selling power — we’re building long-term energy partnerships.”

Benoy Thanjan

Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy and he is also an advisor for several solar startup companies.  He has extensive project origination, development, and financial experience in the renewable energy industry and in the environmental commodities market.  

This includes initial site evaluation, permitting, financing, sourcing equipment, and negotiating the long-term energy and environmental commodities off-take agreements. He manages due diligence processes on land, permitting, and utility interconnection and is in charge of financing

Benoy has extensive experience in financial engineering to make solar projects profitable.

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 was the Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners which is a national solar installer where he focused on project finance solutions for commercial scale solar projects.  He also worked for Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund, where he analyzed potential investments in renewable energy projects and worked on maximizing the financial return of the projects in the portfolio.  Benoy also worked on the sale of all of the renewable energy projects in Ridgewood’s portfolio.  

He was in the Energy Structured Finance practice for Deloitte & Touche and in Financial Advisory Services practice at Ernst & Young.  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. He has a MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from the Stern School of Business at New York University.  Benoy was an Alumni Scholar at the Stern School of Business. 

Gabe is the CEO of Catalyst Power Holdings, a fast-growing company providing customized power solutions to C&I customers. With a background in environmental commodities and renewable project finance, Gabe brings deep experience in building businesses that sit at the intersection of sustainability, economics, and customer value. Prior to founding Catalyst, Gabe held leadership roles at energy trading and consulting firms.

Stay Connected:

Benoy Thanjan

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan

Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com

Gabe Phillps

Website: https://catalystpower.com

LinkedIn: Catalyst Power

Gabe’s LinkedIn: Gabe Phillips

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, I speak with Lee Keshishian, the Founder & CEO of Civic Renewables. We dive into his 18+ year journey in residential solar—from founding Clean Currents to scaling Tesla/SolarCity’s East Coast operations and now building a national network of trusted local solar installers. Lee shares insights on what it takes to grow resilient clean energy businesses and how Civic is raising the bar for solar quality and local impact.

Benoy Thanjan

Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy and he is also an advisor for several solar startup companies.  He has extensive project origination, development, and financial experience in the renewable energy industry and in the environmental commodities market.  

This includes initial site evaluation, permitting, financing, sourcing equipment, and negotiating the long-term energy and environmental commodities off-take agreements. He manages due diligence processes on land, permitting, and utility interconnection and is in charge of financing

Benoy has extensive experience in financial engineering to make solar projects profitable.

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 was the Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners which is a national solar installer where he focused on project finance solutions for commercial scale solar projects.  He also worked for Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund, where he analyzed potential investments in renewable energy projects and worked on maximizing the financial return of the projects in the portfolio.  Benoy also worked on the sale of all of the renewable energy projects in Ridgewood’s portfolio.  

He was in the Energy Structured Finance practice for Deloitte & Touche and in Financial Advisory Services practice at Ernst & Young.  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. He has a MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from the Stern School of Business at New York University.  Benoy was an Alumni Scholar at the Stern School of Business. 

Leon “Lee” Keshishian

Experienced solar executive and entrepreneur with 18+ years leading growth in clean energy. Founder of Civic Renewables, building a national network of trusted local solar providers with centralized support for operations, procurement, training, and long-term service.

Previously led East Coast operations at SolarCity/Tesla, scaling to 40+ locations and 4,000+ employees. As COO of Palmetto Solar, helped drive 400% growth and partnerships with 50+ local companies. Former CEO of Autosled and co-founder of Clean Currents Solar.

Passionate about empowering local businesses, delivering long-term value to homeowners, and accelerating the energy transition through quality, service, and trust.

Stay Connected:

Benoy Thanjan

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan

Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com

Lee Keshishian

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonjkeshishian/

Website: https://civicrenewables.com

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, Benoy Thanjan speaks with Robb Jetty, CEO of REC Solar.  Rob shares insights from his 23-year journey in renewable energy, REC’s behind-the-meter and utility-scale development strategy, and the company’s active role in greenfield projects, energy storage, and asset repowering.

Benoy Thanjan

Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy and he is also an advisor for several solar startup companies.  He has extensive project origination, development, and financial experience in the renewable energy industry and in the environmental commodities market.  

This includes initial site evaluation, permitting, financing, sourcing equipment, and negotiating the long-term energy and environmental commodities off-take agreements. He manages due diligence processes on land, permitting, and utility interconnection and is in charge of financing

Benoy has extensive experience in financial engineering to make solar projects profitable.

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 was the Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners which is a national solar installer where he focused on project finance solutions for commercial scale solar projects.  He also worked for Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund, where he analyzed potential investments in renewable energy projects and worked on maximizing the financial return of the projects in the portfolio.  Benoy also worked on the sale of all of the renewable energy projects in Ridgewood’s portfolio.  

He was in the Energy Structured Finance practice for Deloitte & Touche and in Financial Advisory Services practice at Ernst & Young.  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. He has a MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from the Stern School of Business at New York University.  Benoy was an Alumni Scholar at the Stern School of Business. 

Robb Jetty

Rob Jetty is the Chief Executive Officer of REC Solar, a leading independent power producer (IPP) and clean energy developer focused on delivering innovative behind-the-meter and small utility-scale solar and storage solutions across the U.S.

With over 23 years of experience in the renewable energy industry, Rob has built a career spanning the full lifecycle of clean energy development—from founding a regional EPC firm in 2002 to holding senior leadership roles at some of the industry's most influential organizations, including Recurrent Energy, General Electric, and EDF Renewables.

As CEO of REC Solar, Rob is steering the company’s strategic growth following its 2023 acquisition by ArcLight Capital Partners. Under his leadership, REC is focused on expanding its operating fleet through greenfield development, M&A, and repowering of aging solar assets. The company operates more than 150 solar projects totaling approximately 300 MW across 16 states.

Rob’s deep understanding of project development, corporate procurement, and grid-scale renewables enables REC to serve diverse sectors including food & beverage, cold storage, special districts (MUSH market), and fleet electrification. Notably, the company led the development of a solar-powered EV bus charging hub for the Anaheim Transportation Network, and a microgrid at Kona Village Resort in Hawaii, supporting resilience and clean energy access.

Stay Connected:

Benoy Thanjan

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan

Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com

Robb Jetty

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertjetty/

Website: https://recsolar.com/

REC Solar Case Studies:  https://recsolar.com/resources/case-studies/

Episode Overview

Benoy Thanjan welcomes back Dan French, Executive Producer of the Solar Farm Summit on the Solar Maverick Podcast and they dive deep into the emerging world of agrivoltaics—solar projects that co-exist with agriculture—and the role it will play in the energy and agricultural renaissance.

Dan shares details about the upcoming Solar Farm Summit (Aug 4–7 at McCormick Place, Chicago), the largest agrivoltaics event in North America. They explore U.S. state-level leadership, global innovation, project economics, and transformative benefits such as water conservation, improved crop yields, and rural revitalization.

Benoy Thanjan

Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy and he is also an advisor for several solar startup companies.  He has extensive project origination, development, and financial experience in the renewable energy industry and in the environmental commodities market.  

This includes initial site evaluation, permitting, financing, sourcing equipment, and negotiating the long-term energy and environmental commodities off-take agreements. He manages due diligence processes on land, permitting, and utility interconnection and is in charge of financing

Benoy has extensive experience in financial engineering to make solar projects profitable.

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 was the Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners which is a national solar installer where he focused on project finance solutions for commercial scale solar projects.  He also worked for Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund, where he analyzed potential investments in renewable energy projects and worked on maximizing the financial return of the projects in the portfolio.  Benoy also worked on the sale of all of the renewable energy projects in Ridgewood’s portfolio.  

He was in the Energy Structured Finance practice for Deloitte & Touche and in Financial Advisory Services practice at Ernst & Young.  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. He has a MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from the Stern School of Business at New York University.  Benoy was an Alumni Scholar at the Stern School of Business. 

Dan French – Executive Producer, Solar Farm Summit

Dan French is a nationally recognized leader in renewable energy land use and the Executive Producer of the Solar Farm Summit, the largest agrivoltaics development conference in North America. With a career spanning law, brownfield redevelopment, and clean energy consulting, Dan has become a catalyst for innovation at the intersection of solar energy, agriculture, and sustainable land transformation.

A former environmental and energy attorney, Dan has transitioned into a visionary market maker—organizing events that drive collaboration among farmers, solar developers, policymakers, and conservationists. His work has helped pioneer the concept of “multifunctional PV”—solar projects that generate clean energy while supporting agricultural yields, biodiversity, and rural economic development.

Dan also leads the Virginia Solar Summit and has played a key role in revitalizing polluted and underutilized land through the Brightfields and brownfields-to-solar movements. A passionate advocate for community-based innovation, Dan’s events are known for mixing technical expertise with grassroots accessibility, always striving to "put farming first."

Through the Solar Farm Summit, Dan is helping define the future of land use—where solar power coexists with food production, ecological restoration, and energy resilience on a global scale.

Stay Connected:

Benoy Thanjan

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan

Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com

Dan French

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-french-4354047/

Website: https://solarfarmsummit.com/

Dan’s previous interviews on the Solar Maverick Podcast

https://solarmaverick.podbean.com/e/smp-46-why-brownfields-are-ideal-sites-for-solar/

https://podtail.com/podcast/solar-maverick-podcast/smp-140-agrivoltaics-one-of-the-next-frontiers-in-/

Welcome to our weekly Renewable Energy Briefing! Stay informed on the latest industry trends.

Join us for a comprehensive analysis that combines expert commentary with up-to-the-minute news, offering you a strategic overview of the renewable energy market. Don't miss out on the crucial details that can impact your investment decisions. Tune in weekly for your essential dose of Renewable Energy insights!

 Episode #30 Briefing Highlights:

-The OBBB is signed: A summary of the high-level impacts

-New executive order intends to tighten 'commencement of construction' rules; details in 45 days

-SPP updates process for faster connection of large 10MW+ loads

If you have any questions or comments, our email is [email protected].

Welcome to our weekly Renewable Energy Briefing! Stay informed on the latest industry trends. Join us for a comprehensive analysis that combines expert commentary with up-to-the-minute news, offering you a strategic overview of the renewable energy market. Don't miss out on the crucial details that can impact your investment decisions. Tune in weekly for your essential dose of Renewable Energy insights!

Episode #29 Briefing Highlights:  

-Heat wave impacts, up to $1000/MWhr, and NYC came very close to its all time peak

-June 19th Brattle report: by 2035, 60-90GW additional peak capacity will be needed

-NY Governor Hochul issues NYPA with mandate for 1GW of nuclear to be built

-Latest details on the OBBB and the 'poison pill' for BESS: the foreign entity of concern (FEOC) conditions

If you have any comments or questions, email us at [email protected].

Welcome to our weekly Renewable Energy Briefing on 6/11/25! Stay informed on the latest industry trends. Join us for a comprehensive analysis that combines expert commentary with up-to-the-minute news, offering you a strategic overview of the renewable energy market. Don't miss out on the crucial details that can impact your investment decisions. Tune in weekly for your essential dose of Renewable Energy insights!

Solar Maverick Podcast

If you have any questions or comments, please email us at [email protected].