SMP 205: Revolutionizing Solar Finance: How SunRaise Capital Attracts Investors to Residential Solar Projects?

Apr 9, 2025

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Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, Benoy Thanjan is joined by co-host and clean energy advocate Nate Jovanelly, CEO of Sunraise Capital. Together, they dive into the evolving dynamics of the residential solar market and why now is a pivotal time for homeowners and investors alike.

The discussion explores how increasing electricity rates are fueling a greater need for residential solar adoption, the current lag in solar penetration across the U.S., and how solar tax credits can be a game-changing financial strategy for investors.

💡 Key Topics Covered:

The macroeconomic impact of rising electricity rates on solar demand

Why solar penetration remains lower than expected in key residential markets

How Sunraise Capital is helping homeowners reduce their bills and carbon footprint

The role of federal tax incentives and how investors can use solar tax credits to reduce tax liability

Insights into Sunraise Capital’s mission: democratizing access to clean, affordable energy

Barriers to adoption and what it will take to unlock residential solar growth

💬 Notable Quotes:

🗣️ “We’re seeing a tipping point—where solar isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a financial necessity for homeowners.” – Nate Jovanelly

🗣️ “Tax equity is a huge opportunity not just for institutions, but for high-net-worth individuals who want to support the clean energy transition.” – Benoy Thanjan

Benoy Thanjan

Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy and he is also an advisor for several solar startup companies. He has extensive project origination, development, and financial experience in the renewable energy industry and in the environmental commodities market.

This includes initial site evaluation, permitting, financing, sourcing equipment, and negotiating the long-term energy and environmental commodities off-take agreements. He manages due diligence processes on land, permitting, and utility interconnection and is in charge of financing
and structuring through Note to Proceed (“NTP”) to Commercial Operation Date (“COD”). Benoy composes teams suitable for all project development and construction tasks. He is also involved in project planning and pipeline financial modeling. He has been part of all sides of the
transaction and this allows him to provide unique perspectives and value.

Benoy has extensive experience in financial engineering to make solar projects profitable.

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 was the Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners which is a national solar installer where he focused on project finance solutions for commercial scale solar projects. He also worked for Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund, where he analyzed potential investments in renewable energy projects and worked on maximizing the financial return of the projects in the portfolio. Benoy also worked on the sale of all of the renewable energy projects in Ridgewood’s portfolio.

He was in the Energy Structured Finance practice for Deloitte & Touche and in Financial Advisory Services practice at Ernst & Young. 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. He has a MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from the Stern School of Business at New York University. Benoy was an Alumni Scholar at the Stern School of Business.

Nathan Jovanelly

Nate is the CEO and Founder of SunRaise Capital’s mission is to provide affordable and accessible renewable energy options to homeowners, while reducing carbon footprints and creating a sustainable future for generations to come. They achieve their mission by partnering with industry leading solar installers to provide our customers with the best possible solar experience at competitive rates.

As the CEO of an innovative residential solar lease company, he spearheads strategic initiatives aimed at harmonizing the objectives of our funding partners, installation teams, and homeowners. With a relentless focus on alignment, he cultivates collaborative relationships to ensure mutual success and satisfaction across all stakeholders. Through innovative leadership and a commitment to transparency, he drives sustainable growth while delivering exceptional value to our investors, installers, and customers alike.

Stay Connected:

Benoy Thanjan

Email: info@reneuenergy.com

LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan

Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com

Nathan Jovanelly

SunRaise Capital Website: https://www.sunraisecapital.com/

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

Email: nate@sunraise.com

Thank you to AMS Renewable Energy for Sponsoring this Episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast!

This episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast is brought to you by our sponsor—AMS Renewable Energy.

AMS is a top-tier solar EPC that operates with the precision and mindset of a commercial general contractor. Headquartered in the Bronx, New York—and licensed nationwide—AMS has over 30 years of construction experience, tackling even the most complex solar projects with unmatched expertise and craftsmanship.

Whether it’s a challenging C&I rooftop, ground mount, or full turnkey solution, AMS is committed to best-in-class service and results that last.

If you're looking for a solar EPC partner who understands construction inside and out—AMS Renewable Energy should be at the top of your list.

Learn more at [ams-renewable.com] and tell them the Solar Maverick sent you!

Mid-Atlantic Solar & Storage Insight Conference

Benoy Thanjan will be hosting a live Solar Maverick Podcast Interview at Mid-Atlantic Solar & Storage Insight Conference on May 6, 2025 in New Brunswick, NJ. The link is below.

https://whova.com/web/AVRBHPdoRkL-XvNBu2m3OvHy6VIA89QrX7muVARCKeo=/

Summer Solstice Fundraiser

Join Reneu Energy, Positive Deviancy, and the Solar Maverick Podcast for the 2025 Summer Solstice Fundraiser!

Celebrate the warm weather with us at the Summer Solstice Fundraiser, hosted by Reneu Energy, Positive Deviancy ,and the Solar Maverick Podcast. This special evening will take place on Thursday, June 5th, from 6 PM to 10 PM at Hudson Hall in Jersey City, NJ. We'll also be raising funds for the Let's Share the Sun Foundation, which aids impoverished communities in harnessing solar energy.

Event Highlights:

-Venue: Hudson Hall, a Czech biergarten and smokehouse co-owned by Benoy, CEO of Reneu Energy.

-Time: 6 PM to 10 PM, with delicious food throughout the evening.

-Tickets: $50

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/reneuenergy/1653652

Nate’s other interviews on the Solar Maverick Podcast

SMP 194: 2025 Solar Outlook

https://solarmaverick.podbean.com/e/smp-194-2025-solar-outlook/

SMP 176: REplus takeaways

https://solarmaverick.podbean.com/e/smp-176-replus-takeaways/

SMP 166: Residential Solar Trends

https://solarmaverick.podbean.com/e/smp-166-residential-solar-trends/