Green.Org sat down with Travis Snyder, Product Manager at Solis Inverters Europe, to chat about how he and his company are helping the world transition to a more renewable way of life.
Tell us a little bit about your background.
I started my career in the U.S. Navy as an Electronics Technician and Fire Controlman. From there I used the benefits of the military to get an education in Electrical Engineering at San Diego State University. From there I was seeking employment in renewables and through a friend in the military I started my career at Power-One Electronics. Currently, I am the Product Manager of Solis Inverters in Europe.
What would you do with $1 billion dollars?
With one billion dollars you could make some serious changes. I would take the money and invest 750 million in the market or something stable that would generate me x% to keep the money moving. I would take the other ~250 million and create a non-profit panel manufacturing plant in the US. I would start small with one line and leave room for growth. I would donate all the panels to projects in low-income housing and low-income businesses like bakeries and butcheries that use a lot of power but generate low amounts of income. If that proves successful and I can maintain the output I would invest in installation teams and sponsor private schools and day care centers and install systems for free.
Why do you think sustainability is such an important topic today?
As populations amass and we approach 8,9,10 billion we no longer can maintain the same mindset of yesterday. Everything we use, we build with, we drive with has to be reusable, recyclable or sustainable.
What do you envision your industry looking like in ten years?
Our industry in ten years will be continually optimized. There is still massive room for growth and change but in my mind, the average homeowner will use one of the major 3 platforms (Apple, Amazon, or Google) to monitor and control their home. My industry (the PV industry) will be joined in with that. If you are not a part of that ecosystem then you will be left behind. The batteries will be much larger ~50-100kWH, more dense and safe. The panels will be around 800-1100 watts per panel. The inverters will be silicon carbide mosfet’s and about one-third the size that they are now. Lastly, the Electric Vehicle will plug into your home and also help power your home and charge as needed automatically when the price of power is low.
