Construction
Staten Solar designs and builds system for ground mounts, rooftops, and carports.
Our engineers and construction crews never give up, no matter how tough, or unusual the physical constraints are. From odd roofing materials to convoluted topography to wet environments, there is no challenge the Staten team cannot overcome.
Sam Bhanot
President & CEO
Ansel Smith
VP Finance & HR
Raj Kumar
Controller
Ena Parchwani
Project Management Officer
Mehrdad H. Jafari
Director of Construction
Sean Kenny
Director of Project Development
Mike Coffman
Director of Construction
Narendra Nath Batabyal
VP, Corporate Affairs, India Operations
Amit Kumar
DGM-Business Development & Pre-Contract
Sanjay Kumar
DGM-Project Management
Puneet Mathur
GM-Engineering
Rishabh Chaudhary
AGM-Asset Management
Sam Bhanot | President & CEO
Driven by a passion for clean energy, Sandipan (Sam) founded Staten Solar in 2008 after selling his last venture in the software field. Staten has since constructed over 25 MW of projects; Developed over 100MW project pipeline and evaluated/ invested in over 60MW of solar projects.
Sam holds an MBA from Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley and a B. Tech. in Computer Science from the Indian Institute of Technology, Varanasi. He is also an invited Charter Member of TiE (www.tie.org) where he volunteers his time mentoring numerous startups that come to him for advice.
Sam Bhanot spent the first 20 years of his career in the high tech industry creating managing, marketing and selling complex software systems to design and verify semiconductors and systems at companies such as Cadence and Synopsys.
In his spare time, Sam loves to read, listen to interesting podcasts, spend time with his family. cook and ponder the creation and meaning of this and other parallel universes.
Puneet Mathur | GM - Engineering
With a steadfast commitment to engineering excellence, Puneet Mathur has spent over a decade at the forefront of the renewable energy industry. Currently serving as the Head of Engineering at Staten Solar, Puneet brings eight years of invaluable experience within the organization, spearheading groundbreaking projects and driving innovation in solar technology.
Puneet’s journey in the renewable energy sector began at SunSource Energy, where he dedicated six years to honing his craft and leading the design team to deliver pioneering solutions in solar power generation. Armed with an engineering degree and a passion for sustainable energy solutions, Puneet continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in solar technology. His collaborative approach and penchant for problem-solving have been instrumental in driving Staten Solar’s mission to revolutionize the renewable energy landscape.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Puneet remains deeply committed to advancing environmental sustainability and empowering communities through clean energy initiatives. His tireless advocacy for a greener future serves as an inspiration to colleagues and peers alike.
Puneet loves to travel and explore new places.
Sean Kenny | Director of Project Development
Sean Kenny is a seasoned professional in the solar photovoltaic industry, bringing nearly two decades of expertise in project development, design, and construction. As the Director of Project Construction at Staten Solar, Sean plays a pivotal role in shaping innovative and efficient solar solutions for commercial, public works, and utility-scale projects.
Sean began his career as a solar consultant in 2007 before establishing his own solar contracting business, specializing in the design and construction of large-scale commercial rooftop and carport canopy installations. His extensive experience also includes working with utility-scale solar meteorology instrumentation, further strengthening his technical proficiency in the field.
Beyond his work in the solar industry, Sean is also an avid wildlife photographer, with a particular passion for underwater photography. His ability to capture nature’s beauty beneath the surface reflects his deep appreciation for the environment—a passion that aligns with his commitment to sustainability.
He holds an Honors Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the National University of Ireland and is a fully NABCEP-certified professional. Additionally, Sean is a licensed C-10 Electrical Contractor and C-46 Solar Contractor, underscoring his deep technical knowledge and regulatory expertise.
With his comprehensive industry experience and commitment to advancing solar technology, Sean Kenny continues to drive Staten Solar’s mission of delivering high-quality, sustainable energy solutions.
Mike Coffman | Director of Construction
Michael Edward Coffman is an accomplished construction leader with decades of experience delivering design-build projects across pharmaceutical, life science, manufacturing, and commercial high-rise sectors. His background includes strong capabilities in permit management, engineering and design team coordination, building start-up and commissioning, and strategic business development, consistently driving successful outcomes for complex facilities.
Throughout his career, Michael has built and led high-performing teams while scaling operations for major organizations. He has established construction divisions in the Bay Area and successfully managed many federal projects across the West Coast and Midwest, and operated at the executive level for ENR top-ten contractors. He also spearheaded the rapid growth of a design-build presence, expanding monthly revenues to $14 million and developing a 20-member team within six months. Most recently serving as Senior Project Manager, Mike handled a critical pharmaceutical projects ensuring GMP compliance and seamless system integration.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Boise State University and maintains LEED AP accreditation along with a California Class B Contractor license — reinforcing his strong commitment to innovation, quality, and leadership in the built environment.
Narendra Nath Batabyal | VP, Corporate Affairs, India Operations
N.N. Batabyal thinks that increasing access to energy is critical for ensuring socio-economic development in the world’s poor countries. He joined Staten India to help serve underprivileged people by increasing their access to Solar Energy. N.N. Batabyal has a total experience of more than 25 years in multiple industries and has worked with European Companies like Icap Sira, Forbo Helmitin.
Before joining Staten India, he was Company Secretary & Legal Counsel for PFIZER group Company (Capsugel) where he was responsible for Legal, Cross border transaction, compliance, and Corporate Governance. He has managed IPO, Right Issues, Merger Amalgamation, Financing from Institution, Venture Capital, Business development, Project Implementation, Cross border transaction and is a fine blend of Legal & Finance with International Exposure.
He has also travelled to Europe, South Africa, Bangladesh and Ethopia for various assignments. He served on the Board of Directors of HLC, as Alternate Director to Medini of Icap sira in their joint venture in India and also in Labotron Instruments Ltd (which works for Lieca USA).
Mr. Batabyal is Fellow Member of ICSI and holds a LL.B degree from university of Calcutta and B.com (Hons) From Burdwan University. He also holds certificate in personnel management and financial management from Jadavpur University . He loves to travel and explore the various cultures of this world. He was born in Shantiniketan West Bengal, the Place of Rabindranath Tagore.
The calm serenity and purity of Shantiniketan, where he grew up, helps him keep calm during complicated and stressful negotiations. N.N.B. Believes in High Thinking and Simple Living philosophy, and loves to spend times with his Family.
Ena Parchwani | Project Management Officer
Ena is a strategic execution leader with over 15 years of experience delivering complex, high-value programs across defence, aerospace, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and renewable energy. A military veteran and former Indian Air Force Officer, she brings operational discipline, risk governance, and delivery rigor to Staten Solar’s growth journey.
In her prior professional engagement, Ena consulted for Airbus India on enterprise-scale IT infrastructure and cybersecurity programs within highly regulated, mission-critical environments supporting governance frameworks and security-by-design initiatives. At Staten Solar, Ena leads the Project Management Office with focus on scaling execution excellence. She aligns strategy, capital deployment, and project delivery across engineering, procurement, and construction functions, enabling faster execution, stronger financial controls, and consistent quality. Her leadership underpins Staten Solar’s ability to scale reliably while maintaining transparency and governance.
Ena holds an M.Tech from BITS Pilani and a Executive Business Management credential from IIM Bangalore. She is a Certified Scrum Master and ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, combining strategic foresight with disciplined execution to help build a resilient, future-ready solar energy solutions.
Mehrdad H. Jafari | Project Director
Driven by a commitment to operational excellence and the long-term sustainability of clean energy, Rishabh Chaudhary is a seasoned Renewable Energy Professional with over 12 years of specialized experience in Asset Management and Operations & Maintenance. He excels at optimizing the performance of complex renewable portfolios through data-driven process improvement and rigorous compliance frameworks.
As Assistant General Manager of Asset Management at Staten Solar, Rishabh leads the strategic oversight of solar assets, ensuring maximum uptime and efficiency. His background is rooted in managing large-scale operations and leading high-performing teams to meet stringent technical and financial targets. Prior to joining Staten Solar, he built a reputation for excellence in vendor and client management, consistently driving reliability across diverse energy projects.
Rishabh holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering and an MBA in Operations & Business Analytics. He is a multi-certified expert in Quality, Asset, and Safety Management (ISO 9001, 55001, 45001, and 14001) and holds Six Sigma Green and Yellow Belts. By bridging technical engineering with advanced business analytics, Rishabh ensures that every asset under his care is managed with precision, safety, and a focus on achieving net-zero milestones.
Mehrdad H. Jafari | Director of Construction
Mehrdad H. Jafari
Mehrdad H. Jafari, P.E., a seasoned Civil Engineer with over three decades of experience, excels as a Project Director in the realms of commercial and residential development, construction, and real estate. With a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Azad University – Tehran, Mehrdad holds a distinguished track record of managing high-profile projects in California, encompassing properties valued at hundreds of millions of dollars.
His expertise shines through in steel structural and reinforced concrete Carport designs, where he leverages advanced engineering software to craft innovative solutions. Mehrdad’s prowess in project management is evident in his successful delivery of complex projects, a testament to his exceptional skills and attention to detail.
As a Registered Professional Engineer in CA, holding both Class A and Class B Contractors Licenses, Mehrdad embodies a commitment to excellence and a passion for creating impactful structures that stand the test of time. His dedication to the field and proficiency in engineering make him a valuable asset in the industry.
Amit Kumar | DGM-Business Development & Pre-Contract
Passionate about advancing the global energy transition, Amit Kumar is an accomplished renewable energy executive nearly 15 years of leadership and proven track record of securing high-value infrastructure projects across US and Asian markets. He is committed to driving net-zero targets through precise contract structuring and innovative grid integration strategies.
As Deputy General Manager at Staten Solar, Amit leads the origination, bidding, and pre-contract structuring of complex commercial and utility-scale Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects. Previously, he spent nearly a decade driving critical infrastructure initiatives within the government sector. He was instrumental in delivering major power distribution upgrades and managing high-volume consultancy contracts & procurement — including the execution of the world’s largest energy efficiency program.
Amit holds an MBA in Power Management and an Honours degree in Electrical Engineering. He bridges technical and commercial domains to de-risk projects from feasibility through financial close. His approach integrates robust contract lifecycle management with strong Social Licence strategies, ensuring regulatory compliance and long-term success.
Sanjay Kumar | DGM-Project Management
An achievement-driven leader with over 28 years of rich experience, Sanjay Kumar is an expert in delivering large-scale Renewable Energy and infrastructure EPC projects from concept to commissioning. He specializes in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and techno-commercial negotiations to ensure high-impact clean energy projects are delivered on time and within budget. As Project Director at NTPC GE Power Services Ltd., Sanjay spearheaded the successful execution of critical utility-scale initiatives, including a 325 MW solar project.
His extensive career includes leadership roles at industry giants like Vikram Solar, Sterling & Wilson, and ABB, where he scaled solar divisions and managed diverse portfolios ranging from pan-India rooftop solar to major metro rail electrification packages.
Sanjay holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering and a full-time MBA from the University of Delhi. Bridging technical excellence with strategic business development, he is well-versed in ISO management frameworks and global safety standards. His approach integrates rigorous project controls with stakeholder management, ensuring that every project meets the highest standards of quality, compliance, and environmental sustainability.
Raj Kumar | Controller
With over 25 years of distinguished experience in financial leadership, Raj Kumar serves as the Controller, overseeing the fiscal health and long-term financial strategy of the firm. Raj brings a wealth of expertise across the Manufacturing, Construction, Real Estate, and Distribution sectors, where he has been instrumental in architecting robust accounting frameworks and scalable policies.
His technical proficiency spans the entire spectrum of financial systems—from QuickBooks to Oracle Financials—allowing him to bridge the gap between high-level strategy and hands-on execution. Beyond traditional accounting, Raj provides expert oversight on critical operational matters, including bonding, prevailing wages, insurance, and lien waivers.
Raj holds a BS in Business Administration from National University (San Jose) and a Bachelor of Commerce from Punjab University. When he’s not balancing the books, Raj finds his own balance through family gatherings, experimenting with new cuisines, and exploring the big questions of life through thought-provoking podcasts.
Ansel Smith | VP Finance & HR
With extensive leadership experience across finance and human resources, Ansel Smith serves as Vice President – Finance & HR, driving financial strategy and organizational excellence at Staten Solar. A seasoned executive, Ansel is recognized for building structured, high-performing environments through transparent leadership and disciplined execution. Ansel brings a strong background in the construction and infrastructure sectors, where he has successfully led financial operations for organizations managing budgets exceeding $200M. His expertise spans strategic planning, financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow modeling, risk management, and process optimization. In addition to his financial acumen, Ansel plays a critical role in shaping company culture and talent strategy. His leadership in HR functions—including performance management, employee development, and organizational design—has helped foster inclusive, accountable, and growth-oriented workplaces. Ansel holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Known for his authentic leadership style, he combines financial precision with a people-first approach to drive sustainable growth.
CULTURE
Staten people form a high-performance team
Devoted to excellent execution
Exemplary customer service
And to creating a workplace they enjoy
Traits they all seem to share:
- Good Judgment
- Efficient
- Candid
- Selflessness
- Respectful of teammates
- Sound Character
TALENT IS TALENT
Staten attracts gifted people from everywhere in the world, regardless of skin tone, gender, age, orientation, or religion. A true melting pot for solar troopers.
