Matthew White, Founder of Eva’s Energy, joins Green.org to share his journey into working in solar and battery.
Tell us a little bit about you and your background:
I am a 32 year old Canadian, now living in the Uk with my wife Dee. I have two amazing kids and when I am not busy changing diapers, I am busy installing solar panels and battery storage for clients all around London.
What is a fun fact about you?
I am the owner of a backpacker hostel in Central America.
Why do you think climate change and sustainability is such an important topic today?
I have witnessed firsthand the destructive force of climate change while living in Central America. The effects of climate change on peoples lives is significant right now, not in some distant future. It is crucial for the world to face this new reality we live in and we must use technology, science and community to educate, inform and prepare society for the changing world we are in.
What do you envision your industry looking like 10 years from now?
I think right now is the greatest time to be in the renewable sector. EVER. The price for most renewable technologies like solar has fallen significantly. There are more technicians in this industry than ever, and the majority of people are now seeing renewable sources of energy as not just a “nice to have thing”, but as a key lifestyle change and a strategic move towards energy security.
What can the average person do to make a difference?
If you have the capacity to buy a home or are moving to a new home, look for a roof that is ideally south facing and suitable for solar panels. I believe homes that install solar PV on their house will see massive financial and environmental benefits in both the short and long term. Remember that these systems can perform for 25 years, and the only thing that is guaranteed to increase is your electrical providers per unit cost over time, not the solar. If you cannot afford solar, you can opt for battery storage to charge during off-peak cheaper tariff rate periods of the day depending on your energy provider.