SMP 250: What’s holding back solar power in America?

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan jumps to the other side of the mic with Kevin (“Kadro”) and Mike (“Higo”) from Climate Hive. They dig into the massive cost declines in solar and storage, why solar is a technology and not a fuel, and the impact of Let’s Share the Sun’s recent work in Puerto Rico. The conversation also explores how financing and innovation are accelerating clean energy adoption. 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. Kevin Drolet Founder and CEO of ClimateHive Kevin Drolet is a certified marketing and sales expert with over 20 year experience in company growth strategies. He has worked with thousands of companies and managed over 100M in marketing campaigns. Highlights include developing a 4 year student recruitment campaign for UC San Diego elevating the school to the number 2 position in the UC system. He has led and taught hundreds of sales reps nationally in understanding and positioning marketing solutions and sales. His superpower is connector. He founded KDRO Consulting, his second marketing agency, in 2019 to provide fractional CMO services, marketing and business development consultation and coaching programs for renewable energy and climate tech companies. Through storytelling and strategic networking he helps companies attain business opportunity, talent and investment. His mission is to enable climate innovators to become climate impactors. Kevin and his wife Susan live in San Diego CA with their two dogs. Kevin is passionate about climate, learning, coaching and exploring the intersection of human behavior and positive climate impact. Mike Higgins Founder/Partner of ClimateHive Mike Higgins has a 30-year track record of sales success and executive leadership in large companies and startups. He's known for developing customized sales strategies and automation to boost sales engagement, improving efficiency and revenue. His expertise lies in driving revenue growth through people, processes, and infrastructure. Mike has founded 5 companies and sold 3, demonstrating his ability to build and scale businesses. He's experienced in leadership as the former Executive Vice President and COO of MediaNews Group Interactive, overseeing 50 regional markets and leading a 100+ staff in sales, operations, business development, finance, and IT. Recently, Mike served as CoFounder and Chief Revenue Officer at Onemata Corporation and Managing Partner at BrushFire Sales and Top Funnel, working with clients like Time Warner Cable and Home Advisor. He has also held senior roles in MapQuest, Weatherlabs (acquired by Weather Channel/Landmark), Indigo Group (acquired by Bridgeline Digital NASDAQ: BLIN), and TruMeasure (acquired by McClatchy Corp). Mike and his wife, Val, reside in the Rocky Mountain Empire, actively supporting the Colorado Pug Rescue and the Golden Retriever Rescue.   Stay Connected: Benoy Thanjan Email: [email protected]  LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com       Kevin Drolet      Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-drolet-3625378/          Website:  ​​https://climatehive.co/      Email:  [email protected]   Mike Higgins      Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelghiggins/      Website:  ​​https://climatehive.co/       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.   Join Us for the Winter Solstice Fundraiser!  I’m excited to invite you to our Winter Solstice Fundraiser, hosted by Reneu Energy and the Solar Maverick Podcast on Thursday, December 4th from 6–10 PM at Hudson Hall in Jersey City, NJ! https://www.tickettailor.com/events/reneuenergy/1919391 This event brings together clean energy leaders, entrepreneurs, and friends to celebrate the season while raising funds for the Let’s Share the Sun Foundation, which installs solar and storage systems for families and communities in need in Puerto Rico. We’ll have: -Great food and drinks -Amazing networking with solar and sustainability professionals -Sports memorabilia auctions (with proceeds benefiting Let’s Share the Sun) -An inspiring community focused on making an impact through solar energy If you or your company would like to get involved as a sponsor, please message us at [email protected].     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 [email protected] to learn more.