SMP 48: Solar Panel Recycling and Entrepreneurship Advice

 Episode Summary

 

In this episode of Solar Maverick we recap  the How Solar Technology is Changing the World live event with Steve Schwerd while covering Steve’s top three    things to look for in a business partner. In addition, Steve and Benoy cover the misrepresentation of solar efficiency in comparison to other resources and the benefits of recycling and reusing solar panels.

 

Benoy Thanjan

 

Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, as well as 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, as well as utility-scale solar plus storage projects. The company also sources financing for solar projects and hedges both energy and environmental commodities. Reneu Energy has brokered $27 million in environmental commodity 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.

 

Steve Schwerd

 

With over 25 years in Consulting Engineering, Mr. Schwerd has proven accomplishments in engineering design; project, client, staff and financial management; business development; engineering operations; and firm leadership. Experience ranges from creating small MEP (Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing) departments to a Principal/Shareholder role as the engineering leader for a large multi-office, international full service Architectural & Engineering firm.

 

With energy and sustainable design a key focus for years, Steve then became involved in renewable energy and design in 2008 as Solar PV became an increasingly viable option.  He developed and led a full-service engineering team that emerged as a nationally recognized engineering leader for solar, having completed over 350 projects and 300MW across 25 states prior to his departure.  Upon establishing Schwerd Consulting, Steve can now follow his passion for renewable energy and be fully committed to and active in the Solar industry. 

 

 

Insights from this episode:

What three things you want in a business partner.
Why proven results are a must.
The benefits to business of interacting socially and professionally.
How to build strong relationships with customers. 
How recycling solar panels can further the strong idea of renewable energy.
What trends may be affecting the solar industry.
How the efficiency of solar transfer is perceived.

 

Steve Schwerd’s three things you want in a business partner:

 

1: They have to have proven results in their field.  

2: They have to be able to develop business.  

3: They have to be someone you want to have a beer with.  

 

 

Quotes from the show:

 

“Clients and customers they don’t pay for your skills, they don’t pay for your knowledge, they pay for the application of that result. ” – Steve Schwerd, Episode #48
“You need to be able to enjoy their company socially because it can be challenging enough professionally.” – Steve Schwerd, Episode #48 
“These are huge points that anyone can use in any type of partnership.” – Benoy Thanjan, Episode #48
“I think that people are looking for people that are authentic, that are themselves. I think people appreciate it.” – Benoy Thanjan, Episode #48
“Quality and value is first and foremost, but we want everybody involved in the process to be comfortable.  You have to have a likeability factor because at the end of the day people are putting their trust in you. ” – Steve Schwerd, Episode #48 

“Don’t let the business overwhelm you.” – Steve Schwerd, Episode #48 

“The sun is there everyday.  We are going to be wasting it if we’re not taking that and converting it to electricity. ” – Steve Schwerd, Episode #48

 

“Is there ever business as usual?” – Benoy Thanjan, Episode #48

Resources Mentioned:

 

Schwerd Consulting LLC

 

SEIA - Solar Industries Energy Association

 

Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency®

 

www.podknife.com

 

2019 Deloitte Renewable Energy Seminar

October 2-4, 2019 | Dallas, TX

 

Benoy will be speaking at the Deloitte Renewable Energy Seminar on Friday, October 4 in a panel on “Impact of renewable energy on the future of real estate” with Lisa Brown from Johnson Controls and Susan Nickey from Hannon Armstrong.

Stay Connected:

 

Benoy Thanjan

 

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: @bthanjan

Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com

 

Steve Schwerd

 

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: Schwerd Consulting

Website: Schwerd Consulting LLC

Twitter: @schwerdsolar

LinkedIn: Schwerd Consulting

 

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This episode was produced and managed by  Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)