Solar Maverick Podcast

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan sits down with H.G. Chissell, Founder and CEO of AEG ("Advanced Energy Group"), live from DistribuTech 2026 in San Diego. H.G. shares how AEG convenes utilities, regulators, agencies, corporates, and community leaders to turn urgent climate and grid challenges into action through a “competitive collaboration” model...

Episode Summary: Robots Are Building Solar Farms Robots Are Building Solar Farms: How Cosmic Robotics Is Transforming Utility-Scale Construction In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan sits down with James Emerick, Co-Founder and CEO of Cosmic Robotics, to explore how autonomous robotics are changing the way utility-scale solar is built. Cosmic Robotics is developing an a...

The League Episode #42 – Show Notes In episode 42 of The League, David Magid and Benoy Thanjan break down major developments shaping power markets, grid modernization, and clean energy investment. David highlights PJM’s proposed emergency capacity auction featuring 15-year contracts, a potential game changer for project finance and new generation. He also covers Massachusetts’ vehicle-to-grid pilo...

In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, Benoy Thanjan sits down with Peter Davidson, CEO of Aligned Climate Capital, to discuss how private capital is driving the deployment of solar projects and climate technologies. Aligned Climate Capital manages approximately $2.1 billion in assets and invests in companies and projects accelerating the clean energy transition. Peter explains how climate...

Solar Beats Coal in Texas, Nuclear Returns in NY & the Grid Faces a Load Crisis The League Episode #41 – Show Notes Episode Summary In this episode of The League, we break down the most consequential headlines shaping the energy transition from massive shifts in generation mix in Texas to policy moves in New York, and critical grid reforms at FERC that signal where the market is headed next. K...

In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan sits down with Joel Santisteban, Co-Founder & CEO of Ecosuite, to explore how AI, edge computing, and interoperable infrastructure are transforming the way solar and storage assets are managed. Joel shares his journey from solar development to building one of the most advanced distributed energy resource (“DER”) platforms in the...

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan sits down with Abu Riaz, CEO and Founder of AMS Renewables, to discuss what it takes to scale a solar and storage EPC in today’s rapidly evolving clean energy market. Abu shares how AMS Renewables grew out of a traditional construction background into a fast-scaling EPC platform, executing projects across commercial...

In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan is joined by returning guest and co-host Nate Jovanelly, CEO and Founder of Sunraise Capital, for a deep dive into the US Residential Solar Outlook for 2026. With major policy changes, the elimination of Section 25D for homeowners, and a rapid shift back to third-party ownership models, the residential solar market is undergoing one...

Episode Notes In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan sits down with Jarand Rystad, Founder and CEO of Rystad Energy, one of the world’s leading energy intelligence and data advisory firms. Jarand explains why solar has dramatically outperformed historical forecasts, how rapid cost declines have reshaped global power markets, and why many regions are now facing a new chal...

Episode Notes On this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan sits down with Jing Tian, Chief Growth & Revenue Officer at Tigo Energy, to explore how smarter electronics, AI, and energy intelligence are reshaping the solar industry. Jing shares her journey from a PhD in chemistry to becoming a global solar executive, including leadership roles across Asia and the U.S. She bre...

In episode 40 of The League, Benoy Thanjan (The Solar Maverick) and David Magid break down why the solar market is undergoing a fundamental repricing of risk. Distributed generation platforms are coming to market as large players recycle capital and reset return expectations. At the same time, land is emerging as a major bottleneck.  Costs are rising, competition is intensifying, and traditional l...

In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan sits down with Dr. Hunter McDaniel, CEO of UbiQD, a quantum materials company redefining how light interacts with solar technology. Hunter breaks down quantum dots and explains how this nanotechnology can dramatically improve solar performance by optimizing the light spectrum. The conversation dives deep into UbiQD’s landmark supply...

Episode Summary: Benoy sits down with MyWorkerAI founder William Szamosszegi to talk about how an “AI sales team as a service” can automate research, outreach, and lead generation for founders and renewable energy companies. They also dive into AI’s impact on the solar industry, personal branding, and the mindset tools entrepreneurs need to win in an AI-driven world.   Biographies Benoy Thanjan Be...

In episode 39 of The League, David Magid and Benoy Thanjan break down the latest developments reshaping the clean-energy market. They cover the Pine Gate Renewables bankruptcy, the push for new U.S. restrictions on Chinese solar and grid equipment, and the detention of Qcells shipments under UFLPA. David also highlights Section 232 tariff impacts and Google DeepMind’s new GenCast AI weather-foreca...

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, Benoy sits down with Rob Sternthal, Managing Director at Expedition Infrastructure Partners, to break down how investors evaluate solar platforms and development pipelines. Rob brings more than 20 years of experience in investment banking, tax equity, structured finance, and renewable energy, and he explains the real criteria that det...

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan jumps to the other side of the mic with Kevin (“Kadro”) and Mike (“Higo”) from Climate Hive. They dig into the massive cost declines in solar and storage, why solar is a technology and not a fuel, and the impact of Let’s Share the Sun’s recent work in Puerto Rico. The conversation also explores how financing and inn...

In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan talks with Jon Semingson, President of Peak Demand, a leading recruitment firm focused on renewable energy and clean technology. Jon shares an inside look at how the intense growth of solar, storage and broader renewables is reshaping the talent market, what companies are doing right and wrong when hiring, and what candidates should...

Solar Dominates 2025 Energy Additions; Nuclear Sees Major Expansion Welcome to our weekly Renewable Energy Briefing! Stay informed on the latest industry trends.  Episode #38 Briefing Highlights: -U.S. government and Westinghouse in $80 billion deal for new nuclear power  -Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) in a massive deal to acquire utility giant AES  -New federal report shows solar made up a...

Episode Summary: Host Benoy Thanjan sits down with Nick Kerwin, VP at New Energy Equity and Versiris Energy, to break down what’s next for C&I rooftop solar, community solar, and storage. We talk market dynamics, project finance, interconnection realities, and how policy changes (the “Big Beautiful Bill” and related guidance) could reshape deal structures and timelines. Nick shares field-teste...

Episode Summary: Benoy sits down with co-host and Squarespace designer Li Wang to unpack how your website functions as core digital real estate for any solar brand. They cover platform choices, SEO that attracts qualified leads, and design tactics that convert visitors into discovery calls. Li also shares behind-the-scenes lessons from building the new Solar Maverick Podcast site and refreshing Re...

This is episode 37 of The League, hosts David Magid and Benoy Thanjan (aka The Solar Maverick) break down the biggest clean energy headlines of the week. They discuss why community solar installations fell 36% in early 2025, how storage pairing and IRA incentives could reignite growth, and the impact of Abby Hopper’s departure from SEIA after nine years of leadership. David also unpacks the Grid P...

Episode Summary: In this special crossover episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan sits down with Ana Conde from PVcase  originally featured on her Watt Matters Podcast to break down one of the most critical stages of solar project development: site selection and feasibility. From choosing the right land and navigating interconnection hurdles to understanding permitting, moratori...

This is episode 36 of The League, hosts David Magid and Benoy Thanjan (aka The Solar Maverick) break down the biggest clean energy headlines of the week. They cover: TotalEnergies’ $1.25B sale to KKR and what it signals about renewable asset valuations. The collapse of $24B in U.S. Hydrogen Hub contracts and the broader implications for hydrogen’s future. The IEA’s downgraded global renewable fore...

Episode Summary: Chris Lettman of Imperial Star Solar, an American-made solar module manufacturer, joins Benoy on the Solar Maverick Podcast to unpack how projects truly qualify for the 10% domestic content adder, why U.S. cells and traceability drive eligibility, and what U.S. manufacturing looks like at Imperial Star’s Houston facility. They also discuss supply realities, Tier 1 vs. bankability,...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Benoy Thanjan sits down with Sandhya Murali, Co-Founder & CEO of Solstice, and Sam Cote, Account Executive, to discuss the launch of Solstice’s groundbreaking Community Benefit REC program.  It is an innovative structure that channels corporate sustainability investments directly into underserved communities. The program debuted in 2024 with Microsoft as one o...