SMP 28: The Virginia Solar Market

Episode summary: Benoy and Li talk about Benoy’s meeting with former President Barack Obama. Benoy talks about the Virginia’s solar market and how companies goals of 100% percent renewables is leading to a lot of development of utility scale projects in Virginia.  Benoy talks about the benefits of having solar on brownfield and landfills. Li and Benoy discuss what podcasts motivate them and books to purchase and live by. About our Guest: 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.   Insights from this episode:   Conversations between Benoy and former President Barack Obama The possibility of Benoy running for President in 2020? Industry updates on the Virginia Solar. How and why large companies have adopted the 100% renewable goals and how that is leading to solar development in Virginia. Upcoming speaking engagements of our hosts.   Quotes from the show:   “I’m all about diversification and passive income.” -Benoy Thanjan, Episode 28 “Focus on right now.” - Li Wang, Episode 28 “You create your own luck” - Li Wang, Episode 28 “It’s all about building your network and building strong, genuine, transparent relationships.” - Benoy Thanjan, Episode 28 On implementing what you learn “It’s huge to put it into practice” - Benoy Thanjan, Episode 28 On utilizing what you learn : “It’s one thing to read it but to put it into practice” - Li Wang, Episode 28 On going after what you want: “If there’s something you want, what is the worst that can happen?” - Li Wang, Episode 28 Resources Mentioned: Reneu Energy Resources   Reneu Energy Summer Solstice Party   Toastmasters International   Podcasts: Kwik Brain with Jim Kwik How I Built This with Guy Raz Chasing Excellence Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu   Books: Chasing Excellence by Ben Bergeron How to Stop Worrying and Start Living Stay connected: Benoy Thanjan www.reneuenergy.com [email protected] https://www.linkedin.com/in/bthanjan/ Li Wang: MJWangMedia.com Instagram: @liwang22