Solar Maverick Podcast SMP 04: Strategies to Acquire Commercial & Industrial Solar Customers and the NJ Solar Market with Alex Rivera from Vanguard Energy Partners
About our Guest:
Alex Rivera is the senior vice president of business development for Vanguard Energy Partners. He is a member of the New Jersey Alliance for Action Energy Committee, the Solar Energy Industry Association and serves on the steering committee for the Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy. He has worked in the solar energy industry for over 15 years, working with commercial and industrial clients to retrofit their facilities and support a more renewable energy economy.
Episode Summary:
Alex talks about working with commercial and industrial clients on solar array projects, especially within the context of the changes facing the solar incentive program in New Jersey. He also talks about past growth of solar energy in New Jersey and looks ahead to the industry’s future.
Insights from this episode:
- Strategies to get commercial clients on board with solar
- How to construct a sound proposal for your client
- The secrets behind New Jersey’s solar success
- Thoughts on navigating the changes coming to solar energy in New Jersey
- Why you should be optimistic about the trajectory of solar
- Tips on what to look out for as energy storage technology becomes more common and more necessary
- Why understanding the regulations around solar is paramount to pitching the technology to clients
Quotes from the show:
- “North America chose tax credits, federal tax credits, as the currency to foster investment confidence from the marketplace, and therefore if you’re going to be involved in originating and nurturing in these relationships, you first must understand your client’s tax situation.” - Alex Rivera, Episode #4
- “I would not want to be involved in solar anywhere for the foreseeable future than in the Northeast.” - Alex Rivera, Episode #4
- “I think the first thing a newcomer to the industry should understand is energy itself.” - Alex Rivera, Episode #4
- “Solar energy in New Jersey is very different than solar energy in California in how it is incentivized. You must know that.” - Alex Rivera, Episode #4
- “You need to understand the different programs in order to be able to convey the benefit to your client.” - Alex Rivera, Episode #4
Stay connected:
Benoy Thanjan
Li Wang:
Instagram: @liwang22
Alex Rivera:
alex@vanguardenergypartners.com