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 Energy
Episodes
36 minutes ago
36 minutes ago
51 min
Episode Summary
In this milestone 300th episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, Benoy Thanjan is joined by longtime friend and co-host Nate Jovanelly, Founder and CEO of SunRaise Capital.
Benoy and Nate reflect on how much the solar industry has changed since the podcast began and explore where the market is headed next. They discuss the evolution of residential solar, the growing importance of battery storage, changing financing models, rising electricity costs, policy uncertainty, and the continuing challenge of customer acquisition.
They also examine the advantages regional solar companies may have over national providers, how shifting customer demographics could affect the market, and why solar plus storage represents one of the industry’s greatest opportunities over the next decade.
The episode concludes with lessons from entrepreneurship, reflections on navigating constant change, and a special Monday Motivation.
Biographies
Benoy Thanjan
Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, a solar development and consulting firm, and the host of the Solar Maverick Podcast. He also serves as a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups.
Over his career, Benoy has developed more than 100 MWs of solar projects across the United States, advised on more than 1 GW of energy projects worldwide, helped launch some of the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered approximately $50 million in renewable energy credit transactions.
Before founding Reneu Energy, Benoy worked in Tesla’s Project Finance Group as an environmental commodities trader, where he managed one of the company’s largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated renewable energy credit transactions and worked with senior leadership to develop monetization and hedging strategies supporting the company’s expansion into East Coast markets.
Benoy also served as Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, a solar and energy storage construction company, where he developed project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. At Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with approximately 125 MW of U.S. renewable energy assets, he evaluated investment opportunities, supported portfolio strategy, and played a key role in the sale of the firm’s renewable energy portfolio.
Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and in Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young. He also completed an internship on the trading floor at D. E. Shaw & Co., a global investment and technology development firm.
Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics from the NYU Stern School of Business, where he was an Alumni Scholar.
Nathan “Nate” Jovanelly
Nathan Jovanelly is the Founder and CEO of SunRaise Capital, a technology and financial infrastructure platform supporting residential solar deployment.
Before founding SunRaise Capital, Nate helped build IGS Solar and later launched its residential division. Under his leadership, the division grew to 150 MW and approximately $600 million in managed assets. Across his career, Nate has been involved in deploying more than $3 billion into residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar infrastructure.
Nate has worked on solar projects for organizations including Amazon, FedEx, Unilever, and numerous nonprofit groups. He is also a licensed Professional Engineer with a background in chemical engineering and serves on the Board of SunVena Solar.
Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
Email: info@reneuenergy.com
LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan
Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com
Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com/
Nathan Jovanelly
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/natejov/
SunRaise Capital:
https://www.sunraisecapital.com/
Sponsor: DCE
This episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast is brought to you by DCE.
Since 2009, DCE has built a unique model in the solar industry by bringing design, racking, and construction together under one roof.
DCE Design provides full-scope electrical design across multiple project types. DCE Solar manufactures fixed-tilt, tracker, carport, and rooftop racking systems for commercial and utility-scale projects. DCE Services handles installation.
DCE Services was named the number-one commercial ground-mount installer by Solar Power World in 2025 and the number-one commercial rooftop installer in 2026. This gives customers one company and one point of accountability, from utility-scale projects with IPPs and developers to turnkey commercial and industrial projects.
Learn more about DCE and its company story in SMP 288: Why Solar Racking Can Make or Break a Project, featuring DCE Founder and CEO Bill Taylor:
You can also meet the DCE team at RE+ Las Vegas or visit:
Thank you to DCE for supporting the Solar Maverick Podcast.
Reneu Energy
Reneu Energy provides expert consulting across solar and storage project development, financing, energy strategy, and environmental commodities. The team helps clients originate, structure, and execute opportunities across community solar, commercial and industrial, utility-scale, and Renewable Energy Credit markets.
To learn more, visit:
You can also email the team at info@reneuenergy.com.
Listen and Subscribe
Subscribe to the Solar Maverick Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast platform.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review. It helps more people discover conversations with the leaders shaping the future of solar, storage, and the energy transition.
Sep 10, 2026
Sep 10, 2026
34 min
Episode Summary
Benoy Thanjan, host of the Solar Maverick Podcast, sits down with Li Wang, Head of Marketing for Reneu Energy and the Solar Maverick Podcast, for a deeply personal conversation about surviving the attacks on the World Trade Center and how that day changed the course of his life.
Benoy shares what he experienced inside One World Trade Center when the first plane struck, the chaos of the evacuation, and the moments that have remained with him for the past 25 years.
The conversation goes beyond the events of that morning and explores the lessons Benoy carried forward: appreciating how fragile life can be, living more intentionally, helping others when it matters most, and remembering the courage and sacrifice displayed by so many people that day.
Benoy also reflects on how September 11 shaped his approach to entrepreneurship, leadership, relationships, gratitude, and making the most of the time we are given.
The episode also features an AI-generated visual intro and AI-generated imagery of Benoy, created to support the storytelling and reflective tone of the episode.
This episode is a remembrance of those who were lost, those who responded, and everyone whose life was forever changed by September 11.
Never forget.
Biographies
Benoy Thanjan
Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, a solar development and consulting firm, and the host of the Solar Maverick Podcast. He also serves as a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups.
Over his career, Benoy has developed more than 100 MWs of solar projects across the United States, advised on more than 1 GW of energy projects worldwide, helped launch some of the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered approximately $50 million in renewable energy credit transactions.
Before founding Reneu Energy, Benoy worked in Tesla’s Project Finance Group as an environmental commodities trader, where he managed one of the company’s largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated renewable energy credit transactions and worked with senior leadership to develop monetization and hedging strategies supporting the company’s expansion into East Coast markets.
Benoy also served as Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, a solar and energy storage construction company, where he developed project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. At Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with approximately 125 MW of U.S. renewable energy assets, he evaluated investment opportunities, supported portfolio strategy, and played a key role in the sale of the firm’s renewable energy portfolio.
Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and in Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young. He also completed an internship on the trading floor at D. E. Shaw & Co., a global investment and technology development firm.
Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics from the NYU Stern School of Business, where he was an Alumni Scholar.
Li Wang
Li Wang is the Marketing Director of Reneu Energy and the Solar Maverick Podcast. He was there when the podcast began in 2018, encouraged Benoy to launch the show, and helped create the Solar Maverick name.
Li is also a former journalist and the founder of Little Ox Workshop, a Squarespace website design studio. His journalism career includes working as a business reporter for the Times of Trenton, arts editor for the Honolulu Weekly, and film critic for the Harrisburg Patriot-News. He later earned a professional certificate in digital marketing from New York University and moved into website design, brand messaging, and content marketing.
Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
Email: info@reneuenergy.com
LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan
Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com
Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com/
Li Wang
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/liwang22/
Little Ox Workshop:
https://www.littleoxworkshop.com/
Related Episodes
SMP 234: A 9/11 Survivor’s Journey: Resilience, Gratitude, and Purpose in Solar
https://solarmaverick.podbean.com/e/smp-234-a-911-survivor-s-journey-resilience-gratitude-and-purpose-in-solar/
SMP 01: Introduction to the Solar Maverick Podcast with Benoy and Li
https://solarmaverick.podbean.com/e/smp-01-introduction-to-the-solar-maverick-podcast-with-benoy-and-li/
If you have any questions or comments, email us at info@reneuenergy.com.
Sponsor
This episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast is brought to you by Reneu Energy.
Reneu Energy works with companies and organizations on renewable energy strategy, project development, owner’s representation, project finance, renewable energy credits, and market advisory services.
To learn more, visit:
https://www.reneuenergy.com
Listen and Subscribe
Subscribe to the Solar Maverick Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast platform.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review. It helps more people discover conversations with the leaders shaping the future of solar, storage, and the energy transition.
Sep 1, 2026
Sep 1, 2026
6 min
In Episode 54 of The League, Benoy Thanjan and David Magid examine how clean energy is becoming increasingly connected to national security, grid resilience and government policy. They discuss Michigan’s new statewide permitting process, which could overcome local zoning barriers and accelerate utility-scale solar development. They also explore Westinghouse’s proposed nuclear microreactor at Fort Drum and its potential to strengthen military energy resilience. The conversation then turns to the national-security risks associated with foreign-made solar and storage equipment, including inverters, batteries and control software. Finally, Benoy and David examine California’s record renewable-energy curtailment and why additional storage, transmission and grid modernization are essential to avoid wasting clean electricity.
Host Bio: 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.
Connect with Benoy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benoythanjan/
Learn more:
https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com
Host Bio: David Magid
David Magid is a seasoned renewable energy executive with deep expertise in solar development, financing, and operations. He has worked across the clean energy value chain, leading teams that deliver distributed generation and community solar projects. David is widely recognized for his strategic insights on interconnection, market economics, and policy trends shaping the U.S. solar industry.
Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmagid/
If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at info@reneuenergy.com.
Please provide 5 star reviews
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share the Solar Maverick Podcast so more people can learn how to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Reneu Energy
Reneu Energy provides expert consulting across solar and storage project development, financing, energy strategy, and environmental commodities. Our team helps clients originate, structure, and execute opportunities in community solar, C&I, utility-scale, and renewable energy credit markets.
Email us at info@reneuenergy.com to learn more.
Aug 26, 2026
Aug 26, 2026
10 min
In Episode 53 of The League, Benoy Thanjan and David Magid discuss how the solar industry is becoming more complex as policy uncertainty, storage, cybersecurity, and grid constraints reshape project development. They look at growing concerns around inverter supply chains and national security, as well as the impact of changing rules on financing and project timelines. The conversation also covers Massachusetts’ latest energy storage solicitation and the rising costs of permitting, interconnection, and network upgrades. They also discuss ERCOT’s massive queue of large-load applications driven by data centers and the increasing scrutiny around grid and resource impacts. The episode highlights why success in clean energy now requires understanding far more than just solar panels.
Host Bio: 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.
Connect with Benoy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benoythanjan/
Learn more:
https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com
Host Bio: David Magid
David Magid is a seasoned renewable energy executive with deep expertise in solar development, financing, and operations. He has worked across the clean energy value chain, leading teams that deliver distributed generation and community solar projects. David is widely recognized for his strategic insights on interconnection, market economics, and policy trends shaping the U.S. solar industry.
Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmagid/
If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at info@reneuenergy.com.
Please provide 5 star reviews
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share the Solar Maverick Podcast so more people can learn how to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Reneu Energy
Reneu Energy provides expert consulting across solar and storage project development, financing, energy strategy, and environmental commodities. Our team helps clients originate, structure, and execute opportunities in community solar, C&I, utility-scale, and renewable energy credit markets.
Email us at info@reneuenergy.com to learn more.
Aug 17, 2026
Aug 17, 2026
6 min
In Episode 52 of The League, Benoy Thanjan and David Magid discuss several major developments shaping the future of power markets.
The conversation begins with a significant New York court ruling that classified battery energy storage as a public utility, potentially giving developers a stronger path through local zoning and permitting challenges. They discuss why this legal precedent could accelerate the development of standalone battery projects across the state over the next several years.
They also examine New Jersey’s plans to procure 1.1 GW of nuclear power while seeking to protect ratepayers from construction and cost-overrun risk. Nuclear offers the promise of reliable, carbon-free generation, but long development timelines, financing challenges, and execution risk remain major questions.
The episode then turns to the rapidly growing electricity demand created by AI and data centers. Benoy shares insights from a recent Young Professionals in Energy panel focused on how the industry can deliver reliable 24/7 power quickly enough to support data center growth.
The conclusion: there is no single solution. Solar, battery storage, natural gas, fuel cells, microgrids, nuclear, transmission, and demand management will all likely play a role. The real competitive advantage may belong to companies that can navigate permitting, interconnection, financing, and infrastructure deployment faster than their competitors.
Host Bio: 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.
Connect with Benoy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benoythanjan/
Learn more:
https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com
Host Bio: David Magid
David Magid is a seasoned renewable energy executive with deep expertise in solar development, financing, and operations. He has worked across the clean energy value chain, leading teams that deliver distributed generation and community solar projects. David is widely recognized for his strategic insights on interconnection, market economics, and policy trends shaping the U.S. solar industry.
Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmagid/
If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at info@reneuenergy.com.
Please provide 5 star reviews
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share the Solar Maverick Podcast so more people can learn how to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Reneu Energy
Reneu Energy provides expert consulting across solar and storage project development, financing, energy strategy, and environmental commodities. Our team helps clients originate, structure, and execute opportunities in community solar, C&I, utility-scale, and renewable energy credit markets.
Email us at info@reneuenergy.com to learn more.
Aug 13, 2026
Aug 13, 2026
46 min
Episode Summary
On this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, Benoy Thanjan speaks with Jacob Yang, a clean energy marketing and communications professional who has worked across the solar, energy storage and climate tech industries.
Benoy and Jacob discuss how marketing in renewable energy has evolved, some of the biggest mistakes clean energy companies make when communicating with customers, and why thought leadership and personal branding are becoming increasingly important.
They also explore the growing importance of LinkedIn as a business development platform, how executives can build authentic brands without constantly selling, and why sharing knowledge consistently can create opportunities long before someone becomes a customer.
Jacob also shares his perspective on careers in clean energy, the skills that will become increasingly valuable, and how the industry may evolve over the next decade.
Biographies
Benoy Thanjan
Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, a solar development and consulting firm, and the host of the Solar Maverick Podcast. He also serves as a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups.
Over his career, Benoy has developed more than 100 MW of solar projects across the United States, advised on more than 1 GW of energy projects worldwide, helped launch some of the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered approximately $50 million in renewable energy credit transactions.
Before founding Reneu Energy, Benoy worked in Tesla’s Project Finance Group as an environmental commodities trader, where he managed one of the company’s largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated renewable energy credit transactions and worked with senior leadership to develop monetization and hedging strategies supporting the company’s expansion into East Coast markets.
Benoy also served as Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, a solar and energy storage construction company, where he developed project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. At Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with approximately 125 MW of U.S. renewable energy assets, he evaluated investment opportunities, supported portfolio strategy, and played a key role in the sale of the firm’s renewable energy portfolio.
Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and in Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young. He also completed an internship on the trading floor at D. E. Shaw & Co., a global investment and technology development firm.
Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics from the NYU Stern School of Business, where he was an Alumni Scholar.
Guest Information
Jacob Yang is the founder and CEO of Amp Your Story and a clean energy marketing professional with more than 10 years of marketing experience and approximately seven years of experience working in clean energy.
Earlier in his career, Jacob worked at a marketing agency where his clients included utility-scale EPC companies in the Midwest and several cleantech startups. Today, he works with cleantech companies around the world as a fractional CMO.
Jacob also created a free online clean energy marketing community designed to encourage collaboration, professional growth, knowledge sharing, and new voices within the industry. The community helps marketers navigate challenges ranging from clean energy policy and industry volatility to AI, emerging marketing technologies, career development, and demonstrating marketing ROI.
Through his thought leadership, Jacob focuses heavily on personal branding, LinkedIn, demand generation, paid advertising, AI, and helping clean energy professionals become more effective marketers. He is also developing a clean energy LinkedIn course designed to share these strategies with a broader audience.
Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
Email: info@reneuenergy.com
LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan
Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com
Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com/
Jacob Yang
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobjuancarlosyang/
Website: https://cleanenergymarketer.com
Jacob Yang interview about Linkedin strategies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dnDOdlpLZU
Sponsor
This episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast is brought to you by Reneu Energy.
Reneu Energy works with companies and organizations on renewable energy strategy, project development, owner’s representation, project finance, renewable energy credits, and market advisory services.
To learn more, visit:
https://www.reneuenergy.com
Listen and Subscribe
Subscribe to the Solar Maverick Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast platform.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review. It helps more people discover conversations with the leaders shaping the future of solar, storage, and the energy transition.
Aug 4, 2026
Aug 4, 2026
52 min
In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, Benoy Thanjan joins Peter Pongracz of Soliverse for a wide-ranging conversation about how the global solar market is changing.
They discuss why early-stage development capital has become more difficult to secure, why investors increasingly prefer later-stage and lower-risk projects, and why solar-plus-storage is becoming the new standard in many markets.
Benoy and Peter also examine the growing importance of community relationships, energy independence, repowering, solar-panel recycling, and innovation as the United States and Europe compete with China’s scale and long-term energy strategy.
A central theme throughout the episode is that solar technology itself is relatively simple, but developing, financing, interconnecting, and delivering projects has become increasingly complex.
Biographies
Benoy Thanjan
Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, a solar development and consulting firm, and the host of the Solar Maverick Podcast. He also serves as a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups.
Over his career, Benoy has developed more than 100 MW of solar projects across the United States, advised on more than 1 GW of energy projects worldwide, helped launch some of the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered approximately $50 million in renewable energy credit transactions.
Before founding Reneu Energy, Benoy worked in Tesla’s Project Finance Group as an environmental commodities trader, where he managed one of the company’s largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated renewable energy credit transactions and worked with senior leadership to develop monetization and hedging strategies supporting the company’s expansion into East Coast markets.
Benoy also served as Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, a solar and energy storage construction company, where he developed project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. At Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with approximately 125 MW of U.S. renewable energy assets, he evaluated investment opportunities, supported portfolio strategy, and played a key role in the sale of the firm’s renewable energy portfolio.
Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and in Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young. He also completed an internship on the trading floor at D. E. Shaw & Co., a global investment and technology development firm.
Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics from the NYU Stern School of Business, where he was an Alumni Scholar.
Guest Information
Peter Pongracz is the host of Soliverse, a European solar-industry podcast that he describes as, in his own words, "the Solar Maverick Podcast of Europe." He draws on market data from sources including SolarPower Europe and his own client work, including market segmentation research on floating PV, to bring a European and global lens to conversations about solar development, investment, and policy.
Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
Email: info@reneuenergy.com
LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan
Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com
Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com/
Peter Pongracz
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterpongraczsaas/
Soliverse
https://www.youtube.com/@Soliversepodcast
Sponsor
This episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast is brought to you by Reneu Energy.
Reneu Energy works with companies and organizations on renewable energy strategy, project development, owner’s representation, project finance, renewable energy credits, and market advisory services.
To learn more, visit:
https://www.reneuenergy.com
Listen and Subscribe
Subscribe to the Solar Maverick Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast platform.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review. It helps more people discover conversations with the leaders shaping the future of solar, storage, and the energy transition.
Jul 29, 2026
Jul 29, 2026
9 min
The League Episode #51 – Show Notes
In this episode of The League, Clean energy demand continues to accelerate as utilities, data centers, manufacturers, and large commercial customers seek more power. Solar, storage, transmission, and nuclear all have major opportunities, but the next phase of industry growth will depend less on demand and more on execution.
In this episode of The League, we discuss the growing importance of permitting, interconnection, community engagement, tax-credit certainty, domestic manufacturing, and access to capital. We also examine the rising cost of grid upgrades in ISO New England, the renewed interest in nuclear development, and the continued evolution of tax equity and transferable tax-credit markets.
The companies that can navigate complexity, manage risk, and move projects from development to operation will be best positioned to win.
Host Bio: 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.
Connect with Benoy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benoythanjan/
Learn more:
https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com
Host Bio: David Magid
David Magid is a seasoned renewable energy executive with deep expertise in solar development, financing, and operations. He has worked across the clean energy value chain, leading teams that deliver distributed generation and community solar projects. David is widely recognized for his strategic insights on interconnection, market economics, and policy trends shaping the U.S. solar industry.
Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmagid/
If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at info@reneuenergy.com.
Please provide 5 star reviews
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share the Solar Maverick Podcast so more people can learn how to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Reneu Energy
Reneu Energy provides expert consulting across solar and storage project development, financing, energy strategy, and environmental commodities. Our team helps clients originate, structure, and execute opportunities in community solar, C&I, utility-scale, and renewable energy credit markets.
Email us at info@reneuenergy.com to learn more.
Jul 21, 2026
Jul 21, 2026
40 min
Recorded at the ACORE Finance Forum, Benoy Thanjan speaks with James Gutman of S&P Global about the findings from S&P Global’s latest report created for ACORE on the state of renewable energy finance and investment in the United States.
James discusses the continued flow of capital into solar, battery storage, and other energy infrastructure, while examining the transmission, permitting, and market challenges that could constrain future growth.
The conversation also explores James’s work with Young Professionals in Energy New York City and the importance of mentorship, networking, and developing the next generation of energy leaders.
Biographies
Benoy Thanjan
Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, a solar development and consulting firm, and the host of the Solar Maverick Podcast. He also serves as a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups.
Over his career, Benoy has developed more than 100 MW of solar projects across the United States, advised on more than 1 GW of energy projects worldwide, helped launch some of the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered approximately $50 million in renewable energy credit transactions.
Before founding Reneu Energy, Benoy worked in Tesla’s Project Finance Group as an environmental commodities trader, where he managed one of the company’s largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated renewable energy credit transactions and worked with senior leadership to develop monetization and hedging strategies supporting the company’s expansion into East Coast markets.
Benoy also served as Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, a solar and energy storage construction company, where he developed project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. At Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with approximately 125 MW of U.S. renewable energy assets, he evaluated investment opportunities, supported portfolio strategy, and played a key role in the sale of the firm’s renewable energy portfolio.
Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and in Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young. He also completed an internship on the trading floor at D. E. Shaw & Co., a global investment and technology development firm.
Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics from the NYU Stern School of Business, where he was an Alumni Scholar.
Guest Information
James Gutman
Senior principal analyst at S&P Global focused on providing energy finance analysis and advisory services to financial and capital market clients. Previously a deal advisory senior associate with five and a half years experience in public accounting. He has a distinctive background: started his career advising entrepreneurs on building up successful businesses, scaling up full cycles accounting processes with growth strategies and tax planning. Moved into full time audit and then deal advisory at a Big 4 firm in New York City to assist asset managers and private equity in mergers and acquisitions with a specialization in renewables and infrastructure.
Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
Email: info@reneuenergy.com
LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan
Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com
Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com/
James Gutman
Report:
Email: james.gutman@spglobal.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-gutman/
Young Professional in Energy NYC: https://www.ypenyc.org/
Sponsor
This episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast is brought to you by Reneu Energy.
Reneu Energy works with companies and organizations on renewable energy strategy, project development, owner’s representation, project finance, renewable energy credits, and market advisory services.
To learn more, visit:
https://www.reneuenergy.com
Listen and Subscribe
Subscribe to the Solar Maverick Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast platform.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review. It helps more people discover conversations with the leaders shaping the future of solar, storage, and the energy transition.
Jul 15, 2026
Jul 15, 2026
39 min
Episode Summary
In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, Benoy Thanjan speaks with Matt Coleman, CEO of Davis Hill Development and Principal of Skyview Ventures.
The conversation centers on Davis Hill's partnership with HiveTracks, an innovative program that uses beekeeping and honey analysis as a biodiversity monitoring tool on solar sites. Matt explains how HiveTracks analyzes honey, pollen, and environmental DNA to track pollutants, invasive species, and ecosystem health, and how that data informs vegetative maintenance, mowing schedules, and seeding decisions on Davis Hill's projects.
Benoy and Matt also discuss agrivoltaics and multi-use land strategies, including grazing, hay production, and a new cranberry bog project in Massachusetts, the importance of long-term partnerships with farmers and landowners, how community-focused land stewardship can strengthen permitting outcomes, and the evolving role of solar-plus-storage and standalone battery projects. The episode closes with Matt's advice for early-stage clean energy entrepreneurs on differentiation and market timing.
Biographies
Benoy Thanjan
Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, a solar development and consulting firm, and the host of the Solar Maverick Podcast. He also serves as a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups.
Over his career, Benoy has developed more than 100 MW of solar projects across the United States, advised on more than 1 GW of energy projects worldwide, helped launch some of the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered approximately $50 million in renewable energy credit transactions.
Before founding Reneu Energy, Benoy worked in Tesla’s Project Finance Group as an environmental commodities trader, where he managed one of the company’s largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated renewable energy credit transactions and worked with senior leadership to develop monetization and hedging strategies supporting the company’s expansion into East Coast markets.
Benoy also served as Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, a solar and energy storage construction company, where he developed project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. At Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with approximately 125 MW of U.S. renewable energy assets, he evaluated investment opportunities, supported portfolio strategy, and played a key role in the sale of the firm’s renewable energy portfolio.
Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and in Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young. He also completed an internship on the trading floor at D. E. Shaw & Co., a global investment and technology development firm.
Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics from the NYU Stern School of Business, where he was an Alumni Scholar.
Guest Information
Matt Coleman
Matt Coleman joined Skyview in February 2016 and brings over fifteen years of expertise in renewable energy via project development and finance, corporate investment, and technology development. Mr. Coleman was most recently EVP of Business Development at Clean Focus, where he led the company’s commercial and utility solar power project development and acquisition. Prior to Clean Focus, Mr. Coleman co-founded and managed one of the first renewable energy sector hedge funds in the United States. He also helped launch two different concentrating solar firms, Soliant Energy and Hyperlight Energy, and developed and financed a variety of distributed generation technologies for RealEnergy. Mr. Coleman earned an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA and a BA in Environmental Science from Johns Hopkins University.
Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
Email: info@reneuenergy.com
LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan
Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com
Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com/
Matt Coleman
Skyview Ventures
https://skyviewventures.com/
Davis Hill Development
https://www.davishilldevelopment.com/
Hivetracks
Matt Coleman on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattecolem/
Sponsor
This episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast is brought to you by Reneu Energy.
Reneu Energy works with companies and organizations on renewable energy strategy, project development, owner’s representation, project finance, renewable energy credits, and market advisory services.
To learn more, visit:
https://www.reneuenergy.com
Listen and Subscribe
Subscribe to the Solar Maverick Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast platform.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review. It helps more people discover conversations with the leaders shaping the future of solar, storage, and the energy transition.