Sunnova Appoints Paul Mathews As New President And Chief Executive Officer

Sunnova Energy International Inc., a leading adaptive energy services company, has announced the appointment of Paul Mathews as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mathews, who previously served as Sunnova’s Chief Operating Officer, succeeds William J. (John) Berger, the company’s founder, who will stay on as an advisor during the transition.

As CEO, Mathews will focus on driving disciplined growth, boosting cash flow, reducing costs, and enhancing the customer experience. These goals align with Sunnova’s recent actions, such as launching a $70 million cost-cutting initiative, simplifying operations to better serve its high-value customers, securing a $185 million loan facility from JPMorgan to improve liquidity, and developing plans to manage upcoming debt maturities. Mathews will also explore further opportunities to ensure both near-term stability and long-term success.

Anne Slaughter Andrew, Director at Sunnova, said in a statement, “Paul is an experienced operator, a disciplined cost manager, and a proven leader with a deep understanding of the customer experience. At a time when the Company is executing a strategic repositioning for positive cash generation, we’ve asked Paul to be a change agent and deliver on the core needs of the business while creating value for our stakeholders. He brings an operational rigor and strategic mindset necessary to lead the Company for long-term success. We are confident he will succeed.”

Mr. Mathews stated “I am honored to step into this role and excited by the opportunities ahead of us. I have witnessed firsthand the dedication of our colleagues, loyalty of our dealers and partners, and trust of our customers. While we recognize the near-term challenges we face, I am committed to pursuing stability, driving a hard pivot to profitable growth, and strengthening the Company’s foundation for the future. I want to thank John for his vision, for building the Sunnova platform, and for establishing such a strong team. I am deeply grateful for the confidence he and the Board have placed in me to lead Sunnova into our next chapter.”

Since joining Sunnova in January 2023, Mathews has led significant improvements in operations and service delivery. Under his leadership, the company achieved a 44% reduction in service backlog, a 68% decrease in the average age of closed service work, and a 61% year-over-year drop in escalated customer complaints. His efforts have strengthened the company’s foundation, cut costs, and streamlined processes to better serve customers.

Before Sunnova, Mathews spent nearly two decades at UPS, where he held key leadership roles, including President of U.S. Industrial Engineering and President of Engineering – Strategy and Planning. In these roles, he led strategic planning and global engineering transformation projects, focusing on reducing expenses and enhancing operational efficiency. In addition to his new CEO role, Mathews will join Sunnova’s Board of Directors, with C. Park Shaper taking on the role of Chair of the Board.

Berger’s departure marks the end of an era for Sunnova. As the company’s founder, Berger built Sunnova into one of the top residential solar and storage companies in the U.S., serving nearly 450,000 customers and managing about three gigawatts of power generation. His leadership brought numerous industry-first innovations, such as introducing a 25-year service guarantee, launching Sunnova’s Global Command Center, creating the Adaptive Technology Center, and forging strategic partnerships with major players like Home Depot and Lennar Home Builders. His vision transformed Sunnova into a major force in the solar and energy markets, leaving a lasting legacy of innovation and growth. Mathews now steps in to guide Sunnova into its next chapter, with a focus on stability, efficiency, and long-term growth.

Mr. Shaper mentioned, “John’s accomplishments cannot be understated. His personal and professional contributions to the industry, the greater Houston community, and so many who have worked with and for Sunnova are invaluable. He has led with integrity and a determination that few have, and selecting Paul as his successor is yet another demonstration of his selfless leadership.”

Berger also added, “Paul is the right leader to guide Sunnova into the future. He has proven himself as a trusted and capable leader, building a strong culture and driving significant improvements in our service and operations. His immediate impact upon joining the Company earned him a promotion to COO last year, and I believe now is the right time to pass the reins to Paul. I have full confidence in his ability to succeed.”

He further said, “It has been an incredible journey, and I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Sunnova team and all who have embraced our vision of Powering Energy Independence. This mission is the foundation of Sunnova, and I know it will remain its guiding force. And to our customers and dealers, thank you for putting your trust in us. I will always take pride in what we’ve built together, and I remain a loyal and satisfied Sunnova customer.”