Ms. Nitu Goel (PFM 2004-06) is the founder of Truesun Energy Solutions, a company that is working towards increasing the acceptance and penetration of decentralized solar energy. Truesun Energy has helped many to go green by adopting solar rooftops as an alternative to fossil-based electricity. She is a graduate of the Indian Institute of Forest Management and has more than 15 years of experience working in the field of clean energy, climate change, and sustainability across advisory, investments, trading, and project execution.
She worked with Tata Cleantech Capital where she led the development of advisory services and facilitating clean energy deal origination for debt financing. Working with an equity fund, C-Quest Capital, a fund that invests in high impact and environmentally sensitive projects. She headed origination and investment decisions for clean energy projects in India. She has a good understanding of environmental finance and the role it plays to upscale green interventions.
She worked with TERI in the Climate change group and supported several national and international projects related to climate change mitigation, renewable energy, energy efficiency, technology co-operation, and carbon markets. She has provided inputs to the Government’s key climate change plans and policies. She has authored/co-authored papers, chapters, and articles on issues related to sustainable development, and She is active in international policy circles. She has also presented at various international forums including the Conference of Parties (COP, UNFCCC).
Social Media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/home
Blogs: http://truesun.in/blog/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/nitu.goel
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM to this role?
A. After finishing my PGDFM in 2006 I started my career with TERI (an organization I still admire). TERI undertakes research and consulting on the whole range of issues around sustainability. Further, I assisted a fund and a few cleantech companies to originate and develop clean energy projects with social impacts. I have also spent some time with a few start-ups and helped them in business development and growth strategy.
These roles allowed me to understand issues from various perspectives including research, consulting, investments, and business operations. Things that excited me the most were the interventions that were self-sustainable and had a strong business case. I hold a strong belief that an issue can be best addressed when it has a sound economic rationale and feel convinced about ideas that are scalable and have a positive social/environmental impact.
This made me start Truesun Energy Solutions, an impact-focused energy company that works towards increasing the adoption of clean energy with a specific focus on solar.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. The journey to date has been full of learning. While at TERI, I led some of the large projects on climate policy and brought forward India’s priorities on climate change. Working with multi-cultural teams allowed me to learn about different people, their thought process, and made me think beyond mine. At C-Quest Capital I was responsible for originating and evaluating projects that created a significant social and environmental impact. This provided me with an interesting perspective on how finance can help upscale and sustain these high impact social ventures. At Tata Cleantech Capital (TCCL), I focused on establishing the sustainability advisory and carbon trading business. It gave me an opportunity to learn about sustainability practices at other Tata group companies and integrate them into TCCLs work. After working for 10+ years, I decided to become an entrepreneur. Founding Truesun Energy was one of the most challenging and rewarding experience. It allowed me to follow my belief and create an impact. The learnings as an entrepreneur are difficult to count. I think it makes you a more inquisitive and analytical person. One develops multi-dimensional skill-sets – from making strategy, marketing, human resource, finance, etc. It’s thrilling but at times can be very taxing.
Q. What is the most satisfying part of your current role?
A. For me, the journey as an Entrepreneur itself is very satisfying. It made me wear multiple hats and work hard towards achieving what I believe in. Seeing each little progress at Truesun is very satisfying. I look forward to closing deals, interacting with clients, working out new products, revising strategies. Further, the fact that by going solar, we can see an impact that’s tangible and makes a difference in the lives of people is satisfying.
Q. Who (or what) are the biggest influences or drivers in your careers. What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles?
A. It’s my learning that human behavior is an extremely important aspect that one should not miss while planning a project or evaluating options/opportunities.
Solar is an exciting sector! There can be multiple roles ranging from technical, designing, research to business. In addition to decentralized grid solar, off-Grid solar can provides development professionals to work on some innovative models to improve energy access.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. Oh so many.. climbing up the IIFM gate (India Gate J) chilling outside mess and basking in the sun.. taking shortcuts to reach breakfast on time. (still, we couldn’t reach class on time). sunset point.. birthday celebrations in canteen… the list is huge.
Q. In hindsight, what was the biggest contribution (courses, faculty, library, friends, and alumni. Anything else!!) or take away from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. I think the course pedagogy with a focus on two internships and substantial field exposure helped me shape my thought process and look at the situation from a larger lens.
Q. The best friends/seniors/faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share.
A. I was good friends with Paramjyoti, Swapan, and Abhishek Anand. Dr. Madhu Verma and Dr. Suprva Patnaik have been great mentors and the time spent with them bouncing ideas is very memorable.
Q. As an alumnus, what is your advice to freshers or those who are joining IIFM to get the best out of the 2 years there?
A. Do look beyond the course offerings, spent time learning new things, reading more, reaching out to alums for advice, and widening your knowledge and network. IIFM gives a great platform with excellent infrastructure, course content, and alumni network. The course that IIFM offers is unique and especially given the current socio-economic environment it has become even more relevant.
Q. IIFM is driven by alumni’s passion and commitments towards its goal. How would you like to contribute to IIFM or IIFM alumni, students?
A. I am extremely proud to be associated with IIFM and would never leave an opportunity to associate with students in form of mentorship, guest lecture, internships, and jobs.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?