SMP 27: How Climate Change has impacted the Economy? The PG&E Example.

2019-05-07

Episode summary: Benoy and Li reflect on the Pacific Gas & Electric bankruptcy and its effect on the solar industry. The reason why PG&E is in bankruptcy due primarily to the liability from California wildfires. Benoy talks about current projects on the horizon, Colombia’s failed renewable energy auction, and the upcoming Summer Solstice party. Benoy also discusses passive income and what he looks at when he invests in different opportunities. About our Guest: Benoy Thanjan Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy and he is also...

Episode summary:

Benoy and Li reflect on the Pacific Gas & Electric bankruptcy and its effect on the solar industry. The reason why PG&E is in bankruptcy due primarily to the liability from California wildfires. Benoy talks about current projects on the horizon, Colombia’s failed renewable energy auction, and the upcoming Summer Solstice party. Benoy also discusses passive income and what he looks at when he invests in different opportunities.

About our Guest:

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.

Insights from this episode:

How the climate is affecting the economy
How wildfires have a large effect on California utilities
Why the Colombian Renewable Energy Auction Failed?
Tips for young people getting into solar energy.

Important Links:

Reneu Energy’s Summer Solstice Party

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reneu-energys-summer-solstice-party-tickets-60983558465

Why did the Colombian Renewable Energy Auction fail? By Francisco Sanclemente, CFA-Energy and Infrastructure Investment Banking Associate at Bancapital S.A. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/way-forward-francisco-sanclemente-cfa/

Quotes from the show:

Advice to young people in solar: “I think working at a solar company will be a huge opportunity.” -Benoy Thanjan, Episode 27
Advice to young people in solar:“It’s all about getting real world experience” -Benoy Thanjan, Episode 27
“It’s very important to build different passive income streams” -Benoy Thanjan, Episode 27
“Luck is a creations, you create your own luck.” - Li Wang, Episode 27
“You never know where a connection could come from” - Benoy Thanjan, Episode 27
“Open your mind, open your eyes, listen to people and never judge people” - Li Wang, Episode 27
“For opportunity to come your way you must ask” - Li Wang, Episode 27
“It’s all about living life to it’s fullest.” - Benoy Thanjan, Episode 27