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
20 hours ago
20 hours ago
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into the evolving solar landscape—covering key state-level policy battles, rising resistance to distributed solar, the latest federal tax package in Congress, and the long term trends in the solar industry. Fox Swim, Senior Solar Industry Researcher at Aurora Solar, shares expertise on policy, utility rates, and resiliency-minded markets.
Key Themes & Highlights
- Aurora Solar & Fox’s Expertise
Aurora provides industry-leading solar design and sales software globally.
- State-Level Anti-Solar Trends
Utilities favor centralized generation, clashing with distributed energy advocates.
California’s AB 942 aims to end grandfathered NEM/NEM 2 contracts when homes are sold, pushing owners into less favorable NEM 3 tariffs—effectively breaking existing contracts.
- Resiliency & Distributed Generation
Extreme weather, aging grid infrastructure, and power instability are driving demand for solar + storage.
Distributed generation is seen as a smarter, faster, and more resilient solution than central utility models.
Virtual battery programs in states like Connecticut are emerging as positive examples.
- Federal Tax Bill & IRA Disruptions
The recent House tax bill introduces critical threats:
Elimination of IRA incentives (including ITC, storage, and battery credits).
“Fiat” sourcing restrictions targeting Chinese-manufactured solar components, potentially nullifying battery and panel subsidies.
Fox warns of an unplanned “solar winter” where many small players may fold, though core demand won’t vanish.
Emphasis is shifting toward resilience and independence—not just ROI.
- 2025 Aurora Solar Snapshot Insights
(Backed by Aurora’s data on ~12.5 million projects, surveys of 1,000+ homeowners, 1,000 professionals, and 500+ businesses)
Resilience over ROI: 76% of homeowners view solar as a good investment (up from 43% in 2023)
Financing shifts: Third‑party ownership (leases/PPAs) are growing; battery demand surges with 78% installers seeing increased interest
Bipartisan appeal: Solar cuts across party lines—Republicans, Democrats, and Independents all value solar and IRA
Trust challenges: Installer mistrust doubled—44% of homeowners find trustworthy companies hard to identify
Motivations revealed:
Top drivers: bill savings, energy independence, environmental impact (>50% cite environment as a top-3 reason)
Tactical Takeaways for Mavericks
Strengthen Trust – Improve transparency and contract clarity; be proactive about ethical sales practices.
Refocus Messaging – Highlight solar + storage for resilience and independence—especially in disaster-prone regions.
Engage Politically – Contact local/state reps, especially around bills like North Carolina’s ITC reinstatement.
Diversify Revenue – Build resilience offerings or pivots like community solar and virtual battery programs.
Advocacy & Data – Join efforts with industry groups (SEIA, ACORE), and use Aurora’s regional data in policymaker discussions.
Quotes from the Interview
“76% of homeowners now say solar is a smart investment—it used to be 43%!”
“Installer trust has tanked: 44% of homeowners find it hard to pick a dependable provider.”
“Solar isn’t just about ROI anymore—it’s energy independence and resilience.”
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
and structuring through Note to Proceed (“NTP”) to Commercial Operation Date (“COD”). Benoy composes teams suitable for all project development and construction tasks. He is also involved in project planning and pipeline financial modeling. He has been part of all sides of the
transaction and this allows him to provide unique perspectives and value.
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.
Fox Swim
Fox Swim is a data-driven activist with a passion for solving complex social and environmental challenges. With expertise in alternative energy, and urban sustainability, she leverages technical research and leadership skills to drive impactful change. Currently a Senior Industry Researcher at Aurora Solar, Fox focuses on advancing renewable energy solutions while advocating for social justice and sustainability.
Related Links
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/solar-panel-types
https://www.eenews.net/articles/california-bill-would-slash-solar-benefits/
Aurora Solar’s 2025 Snapshot Report
Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
Email: info@reneuenergy.com
LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan
Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com
Fox Swim
Website: https://aurorasolar.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fox-swim-6919061a/
WRISE 20th Anniversary Gala
Date & Time: Thursday, June 26, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Location: Gotham Hall, New York City
Occasion: Celebrating 20 years of championing women and underrepresented groups in the renewable & sustainable energy sector
Host & Highlight: Presented by Women of Renewable Industries & Sustainable Energy (WRISE); evening includes networking, recognition of community leaders, and celebration of industry milestones
The link to register is below.
7 days ago
7 days ago
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 #27 Briefing Highlights:
- Four executive orders signed to boost nuclear power
- Empire Wind's stop work order has been lifted
- One Big Beautiful Bill impacts on IRA and renewable energy
- Potential major changes to the bill after deliberations in the Senate, an important time now to petition your senators and representatives before it is too late.
If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at info@reneuenergy.com.
Monday Jun 09, 2025
Monday Jun 09, 2025
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 #26 Briefing Highlights:
- Benoy was at a great new conference, the Mid-Atlantic Solar and Storage Conference.
-The main topics were IRA, tariffs, how credit transferability may work in the future, impacts of the 2024 PJM capacity auction, SREC values in NJ being lowered, potential removal of grandfather provisions in California net metering program.
- $12 billion sale of generation assets from LS Power to NRG was completed bringing NRG's total capacity to 25GW
- Quanta was awarded a $1.5 billion contract to provide EPC services for Invenergy's Grainbelt Expressway transmission project.
If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at info@reneuenergy.com.
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Unlocking Energy Storage Value: PJM Market Reforms with Brattle Group’s Serena Patel
Episode Overview:
In this special live episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, recorded at the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Solar & Storage Industries Association (“MSSIA”) Solar & Storage Insight Conference in New Brunswick, NJ, host Benoy Thanjan sits down with Serena Patel, Energy Research Associate at The Brattle Group, to unpack critical energy storage market reforms in the PJM interconnection.
The conversation focuses on a groundbreaking report from Brattle, commissioned by the American Clean Power Association, that lays out a roadmap for unlocking the full value of energy storage across U.S. energy markets.
Key Topics Covered:
- Why PJM’s current market design undervalues flexible storage resources
- The two most urgent market reforms:
▪ Opportunity cost bidding for energy storage
▪ Creation of new ancillary service and ramping reserve products
- How suppressed price signals hinder storage operators’ revenue
- Lessons from other RTOs like CAISO and NYISO that PJM can implement now
- The case for all-source procurement in local reliability planning
- The critical role of stakeholder engagement and policy advocacy to push reforms forward
Featured Report:
Energy Storage Market Design Reforms: A Roadmap to Unlock the Potential of Energy Storage
By: Brattle Group for the American Clean Power Association
Released: April 2025
Notable Quotes:
“Our current systems were built for legacy fossil fuel generators. If we don’t reform the markets now, we risk undervaluing the flexibility that storage offers.” – Serena Patel
“Opportunity cost bidding would help storage developers maximize revenue by bidding strategically, rather than being constrained by outdated market rules.” – Serena Patel
Takeaway for Developers & Policymakers:
To accelerate storage deployment, developers must actively engage in PJM stakeholder processes and advocate for reforms that enable revenue stacking and flexibility compensation. The Brattle report offers actionable insights to guide that involvement.
Thanks to MSSIA:
Special thanks to the MiSSIA for hosting the Solar Maverick Podcast at their first annual conference and for their continued solar and storage advocacy in NJ, PA, and DE.
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
and structuring through Note to Proceed (“NTP”) to Commercial Operation Date (“COD”). Benoy composes teams suitable for all project development and construction tasks. He is also involved in project planning and pipeline financial modeling. He has been part of all sides of the
transaction and this allows him to provide unique perspectives and value.
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.
Serena Patel
Serena Patel is an Energy Research Associate at The Brattle Group, where she focuses on electricity market design and energy storage economics. She was a lead author on the ACP-sponsored market reform report and is deeply involved in clean energy policy development.
Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
Email: info@reneuenergy.com
LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan
Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com
Serena Patel
Website: https://www.brattle.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serena-naresh-patel/
Summer Solstice Fundraiser
Join Reneu Energy, Rosemawr Management, Polar Racking, Positive Deviancy, and the Solar Maverick Podcast for the 2025 Summer Solstice Fundraiser!
This special evening will take place on Thursday, June 5th, from 6 PM to 10 PM at Hudson Hall in Jersey City, NJ. We'll also be raising funds for the Let's Share the Sun Foundation, which aids impoverished communities in harnessing solar energy.
Event Highlights:
-Venue: Hudson Hall, a Czech biergarten and smokehouse co-owned by Benoy, CEO of Reneu Energy.
-Time: 6 PM to 10 PM, with delicious food throughout the evening.
-Tickets: $50
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/reneuenergy/1653652
Friday May 30, 2025
Friday May 30, 2025
Episode Summary:
In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, Benoy Thanjan speaks with JD Dillon, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer at Tigo Energy. This conversation dives into how Tigo is transforming residential solar with a smarter, service-driven approach. JD shares insights from his unique career journey — from West Point and semiconductors to helping lead the turnaround at Enphase, and now steering Tigo’s growth as a public company.
The discussion explores the growing importance of software and service in solar, the booming market for repowering legacy systems, and why bipartisan support makes solar a winning issue across the political spectrum. JD also highlights lessons from semiconductor manufacturing, the value of veteran leadership in clean energy, and how Tigo’s open ecosystem and installer-first mindset are setting the company apart.
Key Topics Covered:
- Tigo’s evolution from MLPE to full energy solutions
- Why service and software will define the next era of solar
- Repowering as a high-growth opportunity for residential solar
- How open ecosystems and rapid install feedback drive innovation
- The intersection of military leadership and renewable energy
- U.S. vs. global rooftop solar adoption rates — and how to catch up
- What the solar industry can learn from semiconductors
- Why solar transcends political divisions and continues to scale
- Trends in storage, energy independence, and grid resilience
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
and structuring through Note to Proceed (“NTP”) to Commercial Operation Date (“COD”). Benoy composes teams suitable for all project development and construction tasks. He is also involved in project planning and pipeline financial modeling. He has been part of all sides of the
transaction and this allows him to provide unique perspectives and value.
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.
James (JD) Dillon
CHIEF MARKETING & CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE OFFICER at Tigo Energy
JD leads branding, demand generation, and communications functions in addition to the technical service and support teams at Tigo Energy. His experience spans the U.S. Armed Forces, semiconductors, solid-state drives, as well as solar hardware and software solutions. His functional leadership has impacted pricing, new product introduction, customer experience, and communications at all levels. Prior to joining Tigo in 2020, JD spent over 3 years as the VP of Marketing and Pricing at Enphase Energy.
Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
Email: info@reneuenergy.com
LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan
Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com
JD Dillon
Website: https://www.tigoenergy.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jd-dillon/
Summer Solstice Fundraiser
Join Reneu Energy, Positive Deviancy, and the Solar Maverick Podcast for the 2025 Summer Solstice Fundraiser!
Celebrate the warm weather with us at the Summer Solstice Fundraiser, hosted by Reneu Energy, Positive Deviancy ,and the Solar Maverick Podcast. This special evening will take place on Thursday, June 5th, from 6 PM to 10 PM at Hudson Hall in Jersey City, NJ. We'll also be raising funds for the Let's Share the Sun Foundation, which aids impoverished communities in harnessing solar energy.
Event Highlights:
-Venue: Hudson Hall, a Czech biergarten and smokehouse co-owned by Benoy, CEO of Reneu Energy.
-Time: 6 PM to 10 PM, with delicious food throughout the evening.
-Tickets: $50
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/reneuenergy/1653652
Saturday May 24, 2025
Saturday May 24, 2025
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Scott Elias, Vice President of Policy & Market Development at CleanCapital, shares expert insights on CleanCapital’s investment strategy, his background in clean energy policy, and the fast-moving developments in Washington, D.C. surrounding the fight to protect the Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Scott breaks down the potential implications of proposed changes to the Inflation Reduction Act, highlights which states are leading the charge in clean energy growth, and explores the growing investor interest in solar + storage portfolios.
Read Scott’s latest take on the proposed tax bill that could significantly impact clean energy investment in the U.S.:
Defending American Energy Dominance – CleanCapital
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
and structuring through Note to Proceed (“NTP”) to Commercial Operation Date (“COD”). Benoy composes teams suitable for all project development and construction tasks. He is also involved in project planning and pipeline financial modeling. He has been part of all sides of the
transaction and this allows him to provide unique perspectives and value.
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.
Scott Elias
Scott Elias is the Vice President of Government Affairs at CleanCapital, where he leads the company’s federal and state policy strategy to accelerate clean energy deployment across the United States. With over a decade of experience in renewable energy policy, Scott plays a pivotal role in advocating for legislation that supports clean energy investment and innovation.
Before joining CleanCapital, Scott held senior policy and advocacy roles at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and other leading organizations, where he worked closely with lawmakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders to shape impactful energy policy.
At CleanCapital, Scott helps ensure that the company stays ahead of policy trends and capitalizes on emerging opportunities—particularly around the Inflation Reduction Act, tax equity structures, and energy storage integration. His deep understanding of the intersection between finance, policy, and technology positions him as a key voice in advancing the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
Email: info@reneuenergy.com
LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan
Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com
Website: https://cleancapital.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-elias/
Email: selias@cleancapital.com
Summer Solstice Fundraiser
Join Reneu Energy, Positive Deviancy, and the Solar Maverick Podcast for the 2025 Summer Solstice Fundraiser!
Celebrate the warm weather with us at the Summer Solstice Fundraiser, hosted by Reneu Energy, Positive Deviancy ,and the Solar Maverick Podcast. This special evening will take place on Thursday, June 5th, from 6 PM to 10 PM at Hudson Hall in Jersey City, NJ. We'll also be raising funds for the Let's Share the Sun Foundation, which aids impoverished communities in harnessing solar energy.
Event Highlights:
-Venue: Hudson Hall, a Czech biergarten and smokehouse co-owned by Benoy, CEO of Reneu Energy.
-Time: 6 PM to 10 PM, with delicious food throughout the evening.
-Tickets: $50
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/reneuenergy/1653652
CleanCapital Podcast
https://cleancapital.com/thought-leadership/?_categories=podcast
Defend Solar Energy
https://solarpowersamerica.org/campaign/defend-american-energy/
Friday May 16, 2025
Friday May 16, 2025
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 #25 Briefing Highlights:
- Montana Community Solar passed with Bill 188 and the market is excited by the irradiance
- New Jersey increased their community solar program by 250MW
- Benoy was at SolarPlaza Asset Management Summit in San Diego. The scaling down of tax credits in the IRA was the main topic
- Finding skilled labor and high turnover is increasingly a challenge for O&M
If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at info@reneuenergy.com.
Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
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 #24 Briefing Highlights:
- CCSA came out with a study about how an average community solar project brings $14 million into its community
- Benoy was in Puerto Rico installing solar and storage with Let's Share The Sun Foundation
- MISO market looks dire according to the latest NERC report, in large part due to interconnection delays and bottlenecked transmission from north to south.
If you have any questions or comments, email us at info@reneuenergy.com.
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
In this inspiring episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan sits down with Bernie Jordan and Lucas Barreto from the Let’s Share the Sun Foundation to discuss their recent solar installations in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. Recorded on-site after a powerful week of hands-on work, this conversation highlights the transformative impact of bringing solar and storage to families with critical 24-hour medical needs.
Benoy, Bernie, and Lucas reflect on the mission-driven approach of Let’s Share the Sun, the collaborative spirit of the solar delegation, and the real-world outcomes of providing clean, resilient energy in vulnerable communities. From logistical challenges to emotional moments with families, this episode sheds light on how solar energy can directly improve lives—and how listeners can get involved.
Don’t miss this heartfelt and motivating discussion on how renewable energy is changing lives one rooftop at a time.
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
and structuring through Note to Proceed (“NTP”) to Commercial Operation Date (“COD”). Benoy composes teams suitable for all project development and construction tasks. He is also involved in project planning and pipeline financial modeling. He has been part of all sides of the
transaction and this allows him to provide unique perspectives and value. 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.
Bernie Jordan
Executive Director, Let’s Share the Sun Foundation
Bernie Jordan is the Executive Director of Let’s Share the Sun Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing solar energy to communities living in energy poverty around the world. With a background in solar development and a passion for social impact, Bernie has helped drive solar installations in underserved areas across Puerto Rico, Haiti, Nepal, and beyond.
Under Bernie’s leadership, Let’s Share the Sun has created powerful partnerships with solar companies, local governments, and mission-driven volunteers to deliver reliable, renewable energy to families with critical needs—especially those requiring 24/7 electricity for medical care. His work sits at the intersection of clean energy, humanitarian relief, and environmental justice.
Bernie brings deep insight into how solar can be a tool for both sustainability and equity, and he continues to inspire others to use their expertise for global good.
Lucas Barreto – Director of Operations, Let’s Share the Sun Foundation
Lucas Barreto serves as the Director of Operations at Let’s Share the Sun Foundation, where he leads on-the-ground efforts to bring solar energy to off-grid and underserved communities around the world. With a strong background in engineering, project management, and international development, Lucas plays a vital role in designing and executing solar installations that provide life-changing energy access to families in need.
His work spans diverse geographies—from coordinating solar + storage systems in Puerto Rico for families with medical dependencies to deploying clean energy in rural villages in Central America and the Caribbean. Lucas is known for his hands-on leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to building local capacity and community partnerships.
Driven by a belief that energy is a human right, Lucas is helping transform the way renewable energy is used for social impact.
Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
Email: info@reneuenergy.com
LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan
Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com
Bernie Jordan
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernadette-jordan/
Website: https://www.letssharethesun.org/
Lucas Barreto
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-barreto-652b06189/
Website: https://www.letssharethesun.org/
If you are interested in donating to Let’s Share the Sun, the link is below.
https://www.letssharethesun.org/contribute
Previous Episodes that Let’s Share the Sun Foundation was on the Solar Maverick Podcast
Let’s Share the Sun Vidoes
https://www.youtube.com/@LetsShareTheSun
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!
Mid-Atlantic Solar & Storage Insight Conference
Benoy Thanjan will be hosting a live Solar Maverick Podcast Interview at Mid-Atlantic Solar & Storage Insight Conference on May 6, 2025 in New Brunswick, NJ. The link is below.
https://whova.com/web/AVRBHPdoRkL-XvNBu2m3OvHy6VIA89QrX7muVARCKeo=/
Summer Solstice Fundraiser
Join Reneu Energy, Rosemawr, Positive Deviancy, and the Solar Maverick Podcast for the 2025 Summer Solstice Fundraiser!
Celebrate the warm weather with us at the Summer Solstice Fundraiser, hosted by Reneu Energy, Positive Deviancy ,and the Solar Maverick Podcast. This special evening will take place on Thursday, June 5th, from 6 PM to 10 PM at Hudson Hall in Jersey City, NJ. We'll also be raising funds for the Let's Share the Sun Foundation, which aids impoverished communities in harnessing solar energy.
Event Highlights:
-Venue: Hudson Hall, a Czech biergarten and smokehouse co-owned by Benoy, CEO of Reneu Energy.
-Time: 6 PM to 10 PM, with delicious food throughout the evening.
-Tickets: $50
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/reneuenergy/1653652
Thursday Apr 24, 2025
Thursday Apr 24, 2025
Episode Summary:
In this replay episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan kicks off the debut episode of Sunvoy’s new podcast series, What Solar Installers Need to Know?
With over 20 years of experience in the energy industry, Benoy joins Joe Marhamati, co-founder of Sunvoy, for a candid and insightful conversation covering the real-world challenges and opportunities shaping solar today.
Topics Covered:
- The ongoing headaches of interconnection and how to navigate them
- How community solar is opening up new possibilities
- Why project financing is evolving—and what you need to know now
- The overlooked potential of renewable energy credits (RECs)
- How tariffs are disrupting the solar supply chain
- What’s next: battery tech, blockchain, and vehicle-to-grid innovation
Whether you're deep in solar development or just passionate about clean energy and grid transformation, this episode is packed with practical insights and future-focused takes.
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
and structuring through Note to Proceed (“NTP”) to Commercial Operation Date (“COD”). Benoy composes teams suitable for all project development and construction tasks. He is also involved in project planning and pipeline financial modeling. He has been part of all sides of the
transaction and this allows him to provide unique perspectives and value.
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.
What gets me out of bed every day is helping solar installers learn from my lived experience in building and selling an eight-figure solar business, not just the successes but also the mistakes.
In my current role as co-founder and CFO of Sunvoy, I help solar installers build their brands by building a white-labeled customer portal and fleet management platform to bring together all of their fleet data into a single location. I'm also passionate about helping solar installers with their tech stack, growth strategy, management and leadership direction, and exit plans.
My results:
→ Spent nearly 10 years at the U.S. Department of Energy // Obama White House helping to catalyze the modern cleantech industry
→ Built and scaled Ipsun Solar 0-$12M in revenue
→ Grew a team of over 60 in service of the mission of installing residential and commercial rooftop solar
→ Started Sunvoy to help solar installers worldwide scale their businesses
→ In April 2024 exited solar construction business to help other solar business owners with Sunvoy
→ During the last 16 months I've helped more than 50 solar businesses throughout North and South America and Europe to build their brand equity and grow referrals with Sunvoy
When I coach solar business owners, I teach them how to build efficient, profitable revenue growth, how to go to market the new way, a relentless focus on the customer, team, speed, execution, brand & culture.
And build an ecosystem around their company.
If you want to connect with me, reach out via the Sunvoy website: https://sunvoy.com/blog or send me an email: joe@sunvoy.com.
Stay Connected:
Benoy Thanjan
Email: info@reneuenergy.com
LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan
Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com
Sunvoy Website: https://sunvoy.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marhamati/
Email: joe@sunvoy.com
Mid-Atlantic Solar & Storage Insight Conference
Benoy Thanjan will be hosting a live Solar Maverick Podcast Interview at Mid-Atlantic Solar & Storage Insight Conference on May 6, 2025 in New Brunswick, NJ. The link is below.
https://whova.com/web/AVRBHPdoRkL-XvNBu2m3OvHy6VIA89QrX7muVARCKeo=/
Summer Solstice Fundraiser
Join Reneu Energy, Positive Deviancy, and the Solar Maverick Podcast for the 2025 Summer Solstice Fundraiser!
Celebrate the warm weather with us at the Summer Solstice Fundraiser, hosted by Reneu Energy, Positive Deviancy ,and the Solar Maverick Podcast. This special evening will take place on Thursday, June 5th, from 6 PM to 10 PM at Hudson Hall in Jersey City, NJ. We'll also be raising funds for the Let's Share the Sun Foundation, which aids impoverished communities in harnessing solar energy.
Event Highlights:
-Venue: Hudson Hall, a Czech biergarten and smokehouse co-owned by Benoy, CEO of Reneu Energy.
-Time: 6 PM to 10 PM, with delicious food throughout the evening.
-Tickets: $50
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/reneuenergy/1653652