Episode #301
SMP 301: Solar's Next Chapter: Affordability, Storage and the Grid
Episode Summary In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, Benoy Thanjan speaks with Sachu Constantine, Executive Director of Vote Solar, about why state-level policy is becoming increasingly important to the future of solar. They discuss major industry challenges including interconnection delays, permitting, policy uncertainty, and rising electricity demand from AI, data centers, EVs, and electrification. Sachu also explains how solar plus storage can improve grid reliability and how emerging solutions such as plug-in or balcony solar could expand access to renters and apartment residents. Despite political and regulatory headwinds, Sachu remains optimistic about solar’s future because of falling costs, improving technology, growing consumer demand, and the need for faster deployment of new electricity generation. Biographies Benoy Thanjan Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, a solar development and consulting firm, and the host of the Solar Maverick Podcast. He also serves as a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed more than 100 MWs of solar projects across the United States, advised on more than 1 GW of energy projects worldwide, helped launch some of the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered approximately $50 million in renewable energy credit transactions. Before founding Reneu Energy, Benoy worked in Tesla’s Project Finance Group as an environmental commodities trader, where he managed one of the company’s largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated renewable energy credit transactions and worked with senior leadership to develop monetization and hedging strategies supporting the company’s expansion into East Coast markets. Benoy also served as Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, a solar and energy storage construction company, where he developed project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. At Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with approximately 125 MW of U.S. renewable energy assets, he evaluated investment opportunities, supported portfolio strategy, and played a key role in the sale of the firm’s renewable energy portfolio. Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and in Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young. He also completed an internship on the trading floor at D. E. Shaw & Co., a global investment and technology development firm. Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics from the NYU Stern School of Business, where he was an Alumni Scholar. Sachu Constantine Sachu Constantine is the Executive Director of Vote Solar, where he leads the organization’s strategy and advocacy to expand access to affordable, equitable clean energy. He previously served as Vote Solar’s Regulatory Managing Director from 2017 to 2022 and as Interim Executive Director in 2021. Before joining Vote Solar, Sachu spent five years as Director of Policy at the Center for Sustainable Energy, overseeing its policy, regulatory, and legislative work. His career also includes senior roles at SunPower Corporation, the California Public Utilities Commission, and the Alliance to Save Energy. Sachu’s experience spans domestic and international energy and environmental work, including service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley. Stay Connected: Benoy Thanjan Email: info@reneuenergy.com LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com/ Sachu Constantine Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sachu-constantine-05a4176/ Biography: https://votesolar.org/team/sachu-constantine/ Vote Solar: https://votesolar.org/ Subscribe to Vote Solar’s newsletter through its website for policy updates, resources, and stories from communities advancing clean energy. Sponsor: DCE Solar This episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast is brought to you by DCE Solar. Since 2009, DCE has built a unique model in the solar industry by bringing design, racking, and construction together under one roof. DCE Design provides full-scope electrical design across multiple project types. DCE Solar manufactures fixed-tilt, tracker, carport, and rooftop racking systems for commercial and utility-scale projects. DCE Services handles installation. DCE Services was named the number-one commercial ground-mount installer by Solar Power World in 2025 and the number-one commercial rooftop installer in 2026. This gives customers one company and one point of accountability, from utility-scale projects with IPPs and developers to turnkey commercial and industrial projects. Learn more about DCE and its company story in SMP 288: Why Solar Racking Can Make or Break a Project, featuring DCE Founder and CEO Bill Taylor: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/smp-288-why-solar-racking-can-make-or-break-a-project/id1441876259?i=1000774004477 You can also meet the DCE team at RE+ Las Vegas or visit: https://dcesolar.com/ Thank you to DCE for supporting the Solar Maverick Podcast. Reneu Energy Reneu Energy provides expert consulting across solar and storage project development, financing, energy strategy, and environmental commodities. The team helps clients originate, structure, and execute opportunities across community solar, commercial and industrial, utility-scale, and Renewable Energy Credit markets. To learn more, visit: https://www.reneuenergy.com/ You can also email the team at info@reneuenergy.com. Listen and Subscribe Subscribe to the Solar Maverick Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast platform. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review. It helps more people discover conversations with the leaders shaping the future of solar, storage, and the energy transition.
