SBC # 478 Jeff Mathias – Civilization at Risk: The Future of Battery Storage and Renewable Technology

Solar powered battery backup is becoming more important if not a necessity in this age of un anticipated power outages and disasters that seriously disrupt the current electrical grid that most all of us rely on. Jeff will draw on his years of experience in the solar business in order to give us a broad picture of the future of battery storage technologies, innovations in solar panels and inverters as well as a glimpse into the politics as of renewables and their future.

Jeff Mathias graduated in 1984 from UCSB with a BA in Business Economics and a minor in Computer Sciences. For 14 years Jeff pursued a career in sales, marketing and project management with a multibillion dollar computer company where he sold and installed computer systems for community banks. His primary focus was reducing and eliminating the excessive amount of paper produced by financial institutions. Deciding to make family and community a priority, Jeff and his family moved to Sebastopol, and created Coyote Moon Farm. On five acres they created a Market garden, selling vegetables, fruit, eggs and honey to farmer’s markets in the West County. Jeff sat on the board of the West Sonoma County Farmers Market in addition to helping create farmer’s markets serving this area. He sat on the Board of Solar Sonoma County, Co-Chaired the Sonoma County PV vendor group where he continues as an active member, focusing on streamlining the permit process for solar PV in Sonoma County.

In May of 2006, Jeff began his solar career working as a journeyman electrician and solar project manager for Synergy Electrical Energy Systems Inc. (SEES). On January 1, 2007, Jeff and long time employee of SEES, Michael Pane, purchased the assets of SEES. The name was changed to Synergy Solar & Electrical Systems Inc., and the resources of the company were redirected primarily towards solar design, sales and installation. Jeff ‘s primary responsibilities for Synergy are sales consulting, solar system design, office management, and customer service. Along with his knowledge of business and sales Jeff brings his passion for the environment and commitment to building community to Synergy. In 2011, Jeff received his C46 Solar contracting license. In 2013, Jeff received his NABCEP Technical Sales Professional Certificate. Currently Jeff is a Co-Chair of the NorthBay Chapter of CALSEIA. Jeff is a lover of the outdoors and enjoys diving, playing volleyball, hiking, kayaking, camping, and enjoying all the wonders Sonoma County offers.