Tom Leyden (left) and Felix Aguayo (right) stand above the solar canopy at the visitor parking lot at Princeton University. — Courtesy: Tom Leyden
By Joshua Burd
A solar energy developer and operator has announced the addition of two industry veterans as part of a plan to expand its footprint in its home state of New Jersey.
Solar Landscape, which is based in Asbury Park, said Tom Leyden and Felix Aguayo join its executive team with 40 years of combined experience in solar energy development. They will lead the opening of its new office in Princeton, as the firm looks to develop offerings that include grid-and-industrial-scale solar, energy storage and electric vehicle charging.
“We’re excited to welcome two of the most highly regarded national leaders in solar energy to our team as we continue moving into new areas of the clean energy economy,” Solar Landscape CEO Shaun Keegan said. “Felix and Tom share our vision for a world that uses every kind of solar technology to fight climate change and achieve customer goals.”
In announcing the hires, the company said Leyden has been both a solar energy entrepreneur and executive at some of the most successful U.S. solar companies, having also served as a Solar Energy Industries Association board member and president of the MidAtlantic Solar Energy Industry Association. Aguayo, meantime, has spent the last 20 years combining his utility engineering and power plant investment banking background to develop some of the most complicated and valuable solar projects, including a recently completed, 15-megawatt initiative at nine sites around Princeton University’s campus.
“We were drawn to Solar Landscape not just for its keen focus on project execution and customer satisfaction, but also for its leadership in serving the community and supporting environmental justice efforts,” Leyden said.
The firm also touted Leyden and Aguayo’s direct involvement in some of the largest and most innovative solar projects in New Jersey, including those at the campuses of Johnson & Johnson, Monmouth University and Dow Jones & Co.
“I’ve been impressed by Solar Landscape’s creativity in project design, flexibility in structuring projects, and fierce drive to make projects a success for all involved,” Aguayo said.
