Community Solar, Storage, and Getting Projects Done with Noelle Paige of Aspen Power

In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, Benoy Thanjan speaks with Noelle Paige, Vice President of Project Development at Aspen Power. Noelle shares her journey from classical ballet and public administration into renewable energy, including her work at Cypress Creek Renewables, Sol Systems, Summit Ridge Energy, Onyx Renewables, and now Aspen Power. She discusses what it takes to lead project development teams, how Aspen Power approaches community solar and distributed generation, and why stable markets like New York, Illinois, and Maryland remain important for community solar growth. Benoy and Noelle also discuss the changing solar market, the impact of policy uncertainty, the growing role of battery storage, and how companies are adapting as the industry shifts from pure solar development toward broader energy solutions. The conversation also highlights Noelle’s involvement with Solar Sisters and the Let’s Share the Sun delegation to Puerto Rico, including the importance of women’s leadership, mentorship, and building a stronger, more diverse renewable energy industry. 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 MW 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.   Guest Information   Noelle Paige Noelle Paige is Vice President of Project Development at Aspen Power, where she leads project development strategy and execution for distributed generation and community solar projects. She has approximately a decade of experience in the solar industry, with prior roles at Cypress Creek Renewables, Sol Systems, Summit Ridge Energy, and Onyx Renewables. Her background includes community outreach, zoning, project finance diligence, development management, and team leadership. At Aspen Power, Noelle and her team help guide projects from acquisition and development through development completion, working closely with channel partners, finance teams, policy teams, and preconstruction teams.   Stay Connected: Benoy Thanjan Email: info@reneuenergy.com  LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com/   Noelle Paige Email:  npaige@aspenpower.com Aspen Power https://aspenpower.com Noelle Paige on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/noellepaige/ Solar Sisters https://solar-sisters.org Solar Sisters first interview on the Solar Maverick Podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT-7t_K_4Oo&t=1093s   Sponsor This episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast is brought to you by Reneu Energy. Reneu Energy works with companies and organizations on renewable energy strategy, project development, owner’s representation, project finance, renewable energy c