SMP 53: Solar Permitting

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Episode Summary
For the first time on the Solar Maverick Podcast, Benoy is discussing permitting in the solar industry with Allison Rohrs while at the Solar Power International Conference ("SPI").  They delve into the details of the process of permitting, why permitting is necessary, and possible problems that might interfere with permitting.
 
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 international 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. Reneu Energy has brokered $27 million in environmental commodity transactions. 
 
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.
 
Allison Rohrs
 
Allison Rohrs has joined SWCA’s Pittsburgh office as Senior Renewable Energy Project Manager, contributing to the continuing development of SWCA’s work in renewable energy throughout the central and eastern U.S. Allison joins SWCA from the Saint Francis University Institute for Energy, where she was the Executive Director for nearly seven years, overseeing a wide range of energy related initiatives in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Her unique and diverse work experience spans operations and maintenance of electric (wind) generators, renewable energy site development, energy policy research, and community outreach. 
 
Allison has well established relationships with renewable energy developers, investors, manufacturers, policy makers, and other key stakeholders. She studied Environmental Science at the University of Colorado and received her master’s degree in Energy and Mineral Engineering from Penn State. Allison is also a Certified Energy Manager by the Association of Energy Engineers.  
 
Insights from this episode:
 
What permitting is and why it is important for the solar industry.
The possible effects of energy projects on cultural and natural resources through Critical Impact Assessment ("CIA").
The specifics of types of permitting required and how they can be impacted by different factors.
The benefits of applying for applications early and having a plan of action for your project.
How solar projects can be affected because of regulations varying from state to state.
 
Quotes from the show:
Talking about the tiny house tour in Pennsylvania: “We could show that, even on cloudy days or days it was raining, that we are still making electricity here.  And that is really powerful when you’ve been talking to a community that has only seen coal for the last hundred years. “ – Allison Rohrs, Episode #53
 
“Anyone in the solar/renewable energy space is an entrepreneur in their own way.” – Benoy Thanjan, Episode #53
 
“As an industry I think that we should be, and we are, in the business of doing good things for the environment and … I think regulation kind of ensures that is what is happening.”  – Allison Rohrs, Episode #53
On the permitting process: “Start these processes early because they take a lot of time and a lot of energy and very often they can stop a project.” – Allison Rohrs, Episode #53
“Be prepared that you might run into issues.” – Allison Rohrs, Episode #53
On attending the Solar Power Initiative ("SPI") conference: “I was blown away with how many people are exhibiting and how packed the convention center is.” – Benoy Thanjan, Episode #53
 
Talking about the book Ego is the Enemy: “We are all biased toward our perspective.” – Benoy Thanjan, Episode #53
 
“We think Pennsylvania is one of the next big markets for solar.” – Benoy Thanjan, Episode #53

Events Mentioned:
Reneu Energy Holiday Party
Podcasts Mentioned: 
 
Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu
 
Lewis Howes Podcasts
 
Books Mentioned: 
 
High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard
 
Ego is the Enemy and Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday
 
Resources Mentioned:
 
SWCA “Sound Science, Creative Solutions”
 
Solar Power International Conference
 
Sept. 23 - Sept. 26, 2019 Salt Lake City, Utah
All Solar Power Events are produced by SEIA and SEPA, including the development of cutting-edge educational programs offered at each show. What sets Solar Power Events apart fro

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