SMP 94: How GAF ENERGY is innovating the solar and roofing industries?

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, Benoy talks with Martin DeBono who is the President at GAF Energy which is creating roof-integrated solar and solar roofing solutions installed by roofers that are designed to look good and last.  Martin speaks about how Building-integrated photovoltaics (“BIPV”) is the lowest cost electricity for homeowners in the long run, the importance of aesthetics regarding the customer decision for solar, and tax equity financing provided by GAF Energy for Commercial and Industrial solar customers.   

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 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. 

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.

Martin DeBono

Martin is the President of GAF Energy.  Martin began his career in alternative energy in a somewhat unorthodox place: as a decorated officer on a nuclear submarine in the U.S. Navy. He has held sales and marketing positions at various tech companies, including Cisco, Siebel, Insightful and Pure Networks. Prior to running GAF Energy, he headed SunPower’s residential North American business and global commercial business and served as President of SunPower Capital. He is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and has a BS from the University of North Carolina and an MBA from Harvard University. His favorite roof is the top of his bike helmet when he’s out on the mountain bike trails in British Columbia.

Stay Connected:

Benoy Thanjan

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan

Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com

Martin DeBono

Website:  https://www.gaf.energy

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/martindebono/

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