SMP 234: A 9/11 Survivor’s Journey: Resilience, Gratitude, and Purpose in Solar

Episode Summary: In this special episode, Solar Maverick Podcast co-host Li Wang turns the microphone on Benoy Thanjan, who shares his experience as a 9/11 survivor and how that day changed the course of his life. Benoy recounts being inside the World Trade Center when the first plane hit, the chaos of escaping, and the lasting impact of witnessing tragedy up close. He opens up about gratitude, resilience, and how the experience pushed him to pursue work that makes a difference. Key Takeaways Living with Gratitude: Surviving 9/11 instilled a daily appreciation for life and the present moment. Purpose Beyond Profit: The experience inspired Benoy to leave a purely financial career path and dedicate himself to renewable energy and making an impact. Legacy of 9/11: The tragedy continues to affect survivors’ physical and mental health, but it also fuels determination to live with purpose.   Biographies Benoy Thanjan Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions. Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla’s Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market. As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm’s renewable portfolio. Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund. Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar. Li Wang Better every day. That’s the way I aspire to live. I was born in 1973 in Philadelphia. My parents immigrated from Taipei and my dad’s first job out of graduate school was in Philadelphia. I’m a die-hard Eagles fan and being raised in that city has shaped my identity. Hip-hop culture served as my first artistic influence. Run-DMC, Public Enemy and the Beastie Boys shaped how I created my own environment. During the summer of O.J. trial I interned at the Philadelphia Daily News. I became hooked on journalism. I went on to another internship at the Des Moines Register and started my career as a business reporter for the Times of Trenton. I was the arts editor for the Honolulu Weekly and then the film critic for the Harrisburg Patriot-News. Website design I could see the end of the print industry so I decided to get a professional certificate in digital marketing from New York University. I started an agency with a partner doing SEO, PPC , content creation and website design. My partner decided to focus on software development and I turned my attention to website design. Today I help small business owners shine online with compelling websites to resonate with their target audiences. Personal interests I’m a fitness enthusiast (CrossFit), watch collector (14060M, PAM112, SBGA085), and father (Matthew and Noemi).   Stay Connected: Benoy Thanjan Email: [email protected]  LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com   Li Wang Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/liwang22/ Website:  https://www.littleoxworkshop.com/