SMP 24: 2019 US Solar and Energy Storage Discussion and Solar Opportunity Zone Investment

Episode Summary Benoy and Li reflect on the success of the Solar Maverick Podcast and share their expertise. Li explains the importance of branding through website design, providing key tips for converting observers to clients. Benoy explains the economics behind solar energy and he discusses trends that he is seeing in the solar and energy storage industry.  Benoy talks about opportunity zone investment in the new tax code and how it can be an opportunity for solar.   About Our Guests:   Benoy Thanjan Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy and he is also an advisor for several solar startup companies. Reneu Energy is a premier international solar energy consulting firm and developer and the company focuses on developing commercial and industrial solar and utility scale solar plus storage projects. The company also sources financing for solar projects and hedges energy and environmental commodities. Reneu Energy has brokered $27 million in environmental commodities transactions. Benoy received his first experience in Finance as an intern at D.E. Shaw & Co., which is a global investment firm with 37 billion dollars in investment capital. Before founding Reneu Energy, he was the SREC Trader in the Project Finance Group for SolarCity which merged with Tesla in 2016. He originated SREC trades with buyers and co-developed their SREC monetization and hedging strategy with the senior management of SolarCity to move into the east coast markets. Benoy also worked at Vanguard Energy Partners, Ridgewood Renewable Power, and Deloitte & Touche.   Li Wang A life-long journalist and communications professional, Li Wang was hooked on the news as an intern at the Philadelphia Daily News during the summer of the O.J. trial. He has been a business reporter, arts editor and film critic. He has shifted his focus to digital marketing and creative services. His company, MJ Wang Media, develops brand messaging and identity through website design and content marketing.   Insight from this episode:   Li shares his three questions for evaluating a marketing strategy: So what? Who cares? Why you? How to revamp your website by eliminating stock photos Strategies for improving your business by prioritizing your website Benoy talks about Massachusetts solar incentive program. Discussion on Federal Solar Incentives. Benoy talks about how returns on solar projects are getting lower due to increased competition from investors. Benoy talk about the tax code changes with opportunity zones and it could be a great opportunity with solar power.   Quotes from the show: “The biggest mistake that people make is adding stock photos.” - Li Wang Episode 24, on website branding and marketing “The biggest takeaway about your website is to simplify, use high quality images, and make your messaging succinct.” - Li Wang Episode 24   “Even if you are a business that’s referral-based, some of those referrals may not be converting as easily or as quickly.” - Li Wang Episode 24, on the importance of having a well-constructed website “Building a marketing presence and branding are huge differentiators especially with people in the same marketplace.” - Benoy Thanjan Episode 24   “The solar economy is one of the fastest growing sectors of the US economy.” - Benoy Thanjan Episode 24   “Energy storage is a game changer and once energy storage become economically it is going to be huge.”-Benoy Thanjan Episode 24 “Some Investors are taking development risk to get higher return on solar projects.”-Benoy Thanjan Episode 24   Resources Mentioned: 2019 is going to be a great year for Solar and the 2018 Year in Review! by Benoy Thanjan Stay Connected: Solar Maverick Podcast: solarmaverickpodcast.com   Benoy Thanjan LinkedIn.com/bthanjan [email protected] www.reneuenergy.com Facebook: Reneu Energy   Li Wang: MJWangMedia.com Instagram: @liwang22 [email protected]   Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on  itunes, and solarmaverickpodcast.com