The Solar Product Registry Set to Boost Solar Deployment

Geronimo Power (Geronimo) announced the start of onsite construction at its 250-megawatt (MW) Portage Solar (Portage) Project in Portage County, Wisconsin, within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) market. The project joins Apple River Solar, which announced the start of construction earlier this year in Polk County, Wisconsin.

“The true value of renewable energy isn’t in the power it provides to the local grid,” said Joe Ibrahim, Vice President Construction at Geronimo Power. “It’s about the immensely positive impact to local economies in the form of new revenue streams and job creation. We anticipate the addition of Portage Solar to our Wisconsin portfolio will contribute more than $100 million statewide – that’s a huge milestone for us and a big win for our project communities.”

Portage is anticipated to contribute more than $73 million in direct economic impact over the first 20 years of operation through the creation of new tax revenue, jobs, increased local spending and charitable giving. This includes $24 million in new tax revenue to be distributed to the local county and townships. These contributions, combined with Apple River, will result in more $100 million in direct economic impact across the Badger state.

Construction of the project marks the first for Geronimo to partner with engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm Burns & McDonnell. The project is expected to create more than 300 construction jobs, with a goal of filling all positions through local Wisconsin craft labor. Portage has a previously announced Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

“As demand for data centers continues to grow, so does the need for reliable, renewable energy,” says Leslie M. Duke, chair and CEO, Burns & McDonnell. “We are proud to support Geronimo Power in the build out of the Portage site. Together with local union halls and contractors, we are supporting the workforce and strengthening the community as we build.”

Above and beyond tax revenue and job creation, Portage Solar will also pledge approximately $1.25 million to local charities and organizations over the first 20 years of operation through a dedicated charitable fund. These charitable funds are unique to Geronimo and exemplify how the company commits to being a good, long-term neighbor within the communities in which their projects are built.

Geronimo Power | https://geronimopower.com/

Smackover Lithium, a Joint Venture (“JV”) between Standard Lithium Ltd. (“Standard Lithium” or the “Company”) (TSXV: SLI) (NYSE.A: SLI) and Equinor, is pleased to announce that it has completed sampling from its newest exploration well, the Lester well, in the South West Arkansas (SWA) Project area, and has recorded the highest lithium concentration reported to date from the SWA Project area; 616 mg/L lithium in brine.

The Lester well was completed in the second quarter of this year and concludes all sub-surface exploration activities for Phase 1 of the SWA Project. The location of the Lester well in relation to the SWA Phase 1 Project is shown in Figure 1 below, and an aerial photograph of the Lester well and associated pad is shown in Figure 2.

Sampling of brines from the upper Smackover Formation was completed by the Company, and subsequent analysis of the brine by an independent third-party certified laboratory demonstrated significantly higher than expected lithium concentrations in the Lester brine, marking the highest lithium grade reported for the SWA Project. The summarized lithium brine analyses are provided in Table 1 below which highlights the average lithium concentration from three brine samples was 582 mg/L.

Dr. Andy Robinson, President and COO of Standard Lithium stated, “The Smackover Lithium team has now completed all the fieldwork and testing required for Phase 1 of the SWA Project. We completed this final well in a part of the project area where we expected the lithium concentration to be approximately 500 mg/L, so we’re encouraged with these latest sampling results that show the highest lithium concentrations in the whole SWA Project area (maximum 616 mg/L), demonstrating a marked improvement from levels in the existing world-class lithium brine resource. 

With all of the fieldwork complete, the joint Smackover Lithium team is working to complete the FEED study, with a Definitive Feasibility Study expected later in the third quarter of this year. The completion of these studies will represent a significant milestone as the team rapidly advances Phase 1 of the SWA Project through off-take negotiations and project finance towards a Final Investment Decision targeted by year-end 2025.”

Figure 1: SWA Project, Phase 1 Reynolds Unit and Location of Lester Well

Table 1: Lester Well Lithium Brine Analyses in SWA Phase 1 Project Area

Notes:  Analyses conducted at WETLAB (Western Environmental Testing Laboratory) - 475 E Greg St, Suite 119, Sparks NV 89431.
[1] Sample names are as reported by the independent third party laboratory. Samples #3 and #4 were a blank sample and a synthetic spike sample, used for laboratory data verification and QA/QC purposes. They are omitted here for clarity.
[2] A simple average concentration is provided from the Lester well for illustrative purposes of the general lithium brine quality in the Lester well. Porosity-weighted averages will be used in future resource quality estimates.

Figure 2: Aerial Photo of Lester Well in SWA Phase 1 Project

Notes:  Photograph is taken looking approximately northeast across the Lester well-pad.

Qualified Person

Steve Ross, P.Geol., a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the relevant scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release. Mr. Ross is a consultant to the Company.

Smackover Lithium | https://www.smackoverlithium.com/

CleanChoice Energy ("CleanChoice"), the first 100% green company in the U.S. to provide ‘farm-to-table’ renewable energy by owning clean and reliable generation assets and supplying only clean energy to consumers, has named Christopher Smith as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

This news comes amidst a year of exciting transition for CleanChoice. Over the past 12 months, CleanChoice has interconnected its first solar project in Pennsylvania and announced three additional solar projects located in the northeast United States, while also continuing to grow its retail business. Smith will be a driving force in helping CleanChoice achieve its growth objectives as the company continues its evolution into both a supplier and generator of clean energy.

“Chris brings deep capital-markets expertise and a track record of building top-flight finance teams at scale in energy businesses,” said Tom Matzzie, Founder & CEO of CleanChoice. “His appointment underscores our readiness to navigate evolving markets and to structure financing that earns investor trust—supporting CleanChoice’s commitment to responsible, resilient, sustainable growth.”

“As CleanChoice Energy enters a new phase of growth, Chris brings the expertise and insight to help us traverse a changing industry,” Matzzie continued. “The United States is at a turning point. It faces both a critical need for not only more, but also cost effective and sustainable energy – seemingly everywhere and all at once – while customers demand not only a real choice but also a trusted partner in managing their energy future.”

Smith has experience in building high performing finance teams and high quality businesses and will complement an already strong bench. Over the past two decades, Smith has held senior roles across top tier public and private organizations with a focus on growth and navigating complex challenges. Smith played a pivotal role in successfully growing Hannon Armstrong, and he served in key leadership roles at organizations such as Constellation Energy Commodities Group and Bank of America Merrill Lynch, among others. His background includes SEC reporting, investor relations, and significant capital markets expertise.

“CleanChoice completely aligns with my passion to help companies grow in smart, sustainable ways,” noted Smith. “It’s all about the customer. CleanChoice is well positioned to expand upon its already considerable growth realized over the last decade not in spite of current challenges, but thanks to them. The new frontier of energy is here—we have the tools and technology to help customers lower costs, address sustainability goals, and improve reliability, and I’m eager to demonstrate to current and future customers, stakeholders and investors that clean energy is smart energy.”

Finally, Matzzie added, “I’m thankful to John Burke for his support and leadership over the last nine years as Chief Financial Officer and I look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role as Chief Commercial Officer, in which he will architect and manage our growing wholesale and risk management platform.”

CleanChoice Energy | www.cleanchoiceenergy.com

Ampt, the #1 DC optimizer company for large-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems, announced the deployment of its String Optimizers to power a 65MW solar project located within the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) region. The PV power plant includes a DC-coupled 25MW / 100MWh (4-hour) battery storage system and uses Ampt String Optimizers to deliver lower-cost power at a stable voltage to support critical facilities, including large AI data center operations.

The hybrid solar + storage system enables energy firming and shifting, ensuring renewable power availability despite the intermittency of solar generation. The system itself leverages machine learning to assess optimal timing and strategies for grid interaction. Through a power purchase agreement (PPA) with multiple off-takers, the power plant is projected to generate tens of millions of dollars for the local economy. In doing so, it will also help advance California’s goal of achieving 100% carbon-free energy by 2045.

“We’re pleased to be a part of this project, which will offset approximately 100,000 tons of carbon emissions annually,” said Aaron Gomolak, CEO of Ampt. “This highlights the critical role solar + storage systems play in advancing the transition to clean energy. By leveraging Ampt technology, our customers are tackling a major challenge for both renewable energy and data centers—ensuring stable, high-quality power in one of the most demanding energy environments.”

Wood Mackenzie is currently tracking 134 GW of proposed data centers across the US, a significant increase from 50 GW just a year ago. Large AI data centers can consume as much electricity as 80,000 homes. The variability of these large-scale systems, combined with unpredictable surges in power demand, can present significant stability challenges. In response, data center operators are increasingly seeking optimized renewable energy projects to ensure a reliable, abundant source of power that simultaneously helps in meeting ambitious sustainability commitments.

Ampt String Optimizers, which are advanced DC/DC converters that enable the full available PV power to be delivered at a fixed voltage, help meet the stringent power requirements of AI data centers, where even millisecond fluctuations during AI training can impact performance. By stabilizing voltage at the point of generation, Ampt ensures a steady supply to both the inverter and battery system, which in turn provides firm, reliable power to offtakers. Additionally, Ampt optimizers maximize solar output by mitigating losses from the inherent variability of large-scale PV systems caused by factors like cloud cover, soiling, and changes in temperature.

"By operating on the DC side, Ampt’s technology enhances overall efficiency while lowering total system costs to make renewable energy a viable and resilient option for high-performance computing environments," said Mary Adam, Vice President of Global Sales at Ampt. "We look forward to continuing to work side-by-side with our customers and partners to optimize their renewable power plants and infrastructure supporting these data centers."

Ampt | www.ampt.com

GS Power Partners (GSPP), a leading Independent Power Producer in the distributed generation (DG) solar sector, announced that the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), a leader in environmental education and innovation, has subscribed to GSPP’s Saratoga II community solar farm. SUNY ESF signed on to the solar farm, which is located in Middle Grove NY, through a partnership with GSPP and Community Solar Authority (CSA). In addition to delivering substantial savings, the initiative supports the development of renewable energy infrastructure in upstate New York, reinforcing ESF’s commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

“As one of the first large-scale SUNY participants in community solar, ESF is leading by example in pursuing cost-effective and community-centered sustainability solutions,” said Amanda Zurla, GSPP’s Chief Development Officer. “Through our partnership with CSA, we were able to connect ESF with an existing project so they would realize the benefits quickly. It is our hope that the program will expand to other campuses in the future.”

Driven to set the standard for sustainability, ESF began searching for a community solar partner to help them support renewable energy production affordably. GSPP was able to meet ESF’s requirement for consolidated billing, and is delivering a 10 percent savings on electricity delivery costs at the main Syracuse campus, amounting to tens of thousands of dollars annually.

“We wanted to find a solution that aligned with our sustainability goals, reduced our utility expenses, and didn’t create more administrative burden,” said Michael Amadori, Energy Manager at SUNY ESF. “Community solar checked all those boxes. And most importantly, it delivers clean, affordable energy to our communities and contributes to the decarbonization of the grid.”

In addition to SUNY ESF, hundreds of households in New York State benefit from Saratoga II community solar credits through National Grid. Community solar adds another layer of sustainability to ESF’s campus, which is also moving toward all-electric heating systems, training staff on new energy technologies, and exploring additional heat recovery strategies.

“Michael and the ESF team were instrumental in pushing this project through the public procurement process, because they see the value in community solar,” said Dakota Malone, Managing Partner at CSA. “Being from the Syracuse area ourselves, helping ESF to find the right community solar provider meant a lot to our team.”

Community Solar Authority | www.communitysolarauthority.com

GS Power Partners | www.gspowerpartners.com

EcoFlow, a leading eco-friendly energy solutions company, ushered in a new era for U.S. home energy storage with their debut of OCEAN Pro, offering more power, convenience and intelligence for homeowners in a world of rising energy bills and increasingly unpredictable power grids. OCEAN Pro delivers advanced technology and infinite backup power to combat these energy challenges and maximize rooftop solar investments. Its features and capabilities are unmatched by industry competitors while also offering a sleek design aesthetic to complement the interior of any home. 

OCEAN Pro was developed with energy-stressed states like California, Texas and Florida in mind, where electric costs, extreme weather and aging infrastructure are driving demand for energy independence. Unlike conventional residential battery systems, OCEAN Pro is the first multi-source backup solution that automatically pulls energy from various sources — including solar panels, high-capacity batteries and even gasoline generators, if needed — to keep homes running smoothly through blackouts, storms and peak billing rate hours.

The system is EcoFlow’s most powerful and versatile home energy storage solution yet, giving homeowners more peace of mind and more control over their energy than ever. It builds on the proven success of the company’s PowerOcean series, the European counterpart, which has over 17,000 installations across Europe. 

EcoFlow is now bringing this trusted performance and reliability to the U.S. market with OCEAN Pro, setting a new benchmark for home energy storage. OCEAN Pro delivers twice the solar capacity, double the backup power and 67 percent more peak power compared to industry standards, including Tesla’s Powerwall 3. It is more resilient against flooding and comes with a 15-year warranty — five years beyond industry standards.

“OCEAN Pro isn’t just backup power, it’s complete energy independence made simple,” said Jenny Zhang, President of North America Residential Energy Business at EcoFlow. “We’re excited to bring a powerful solution like OCEAN Pro to the U.S. market and give families a smarter, stronger and more reliable energy system built for the challenges they face today.” 

When grid power fails, OCEAN Pro keeps appliances running and EVs powered. One battery provides 10kWh and the system is expandable up to 80kWh for those with larger energy needs. With 24kW of continuous output, OCEAN Pro can support 100% of home appliances simultaneously, including up to two 5-ton HVAC systems, EV chargers, pool pumps and refrigerators. If the grid goes down, OCEAN Pro switches to backup power in just 10ms, so users are never left without power. 

Homeowners can save up to 118 percent on electricity bills with the EcoFlow app's real-time energy monitoring and AI-driven forecasting that predicts weather, pricing and energy use. It seamlessly integrates with smart home devices — including thermostats, EV chargers, Apple Home, Google Nest and Alexa — so your energy system works in sync with your lifestyle. 

OCEAN Pro is engineered to handle harsh conditions, from freezing winters to scorching summers, with its TriShield Protection System, which includes fire prevention module, flood resistance up to 2.6 feet and IP67-rated waterproofing. It meets the highest industry standards and is the first in its class to pass the critical UL 9540B safety certification for energy storage systems.

OCEAN Pro can also operate in grid-tied mode across all markets, allowing homeowners to sell excess energy back to the grid once the battery is fully charged. These benefits are further enhanced through participation in EcoFlow’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP) network, which intelligently manages energy return based on real-time grid conditions and electricity prices. By discharging power during peak pricing or times of grid demand, the system can optimize battery use and lets users earn additional income even when solar generation is limited. As VPP coverage continues to expand across additional U.S. markets, more homeowners can take advantage of these advanced capabilities.

Designed to look as good as it performs, OCEAN Pro is available in three premium finishes, including aluminum for a modern look, luxurious walnut wood for classic elegance or lightweight carbon fiber for a sleek, high-performance finish. 

OCEAN Pro isn’t just a product — it’s a full solution backed by personalized service. Each installation includes a free one-on-one energy consultation, app-based progress tracking and local support to ensure a seamless experience. Nearly 100 installation partners have signed on ahead of launch — a strong testament to the industry’s confidence in EcoFlow’s innovation and brand trust.

“As installers, what we value most is reliability — both in the product and the people behind it. EcoFlow has proven to be a true partner: responsive, solution-driven and deeply committed to execution," said Daniel Gawrych, CEO of Lunex Power, EcoFlow’s official installation partner for OCEAN Pro in Florida. "Their system is not only powerful and seamlessly integratable, but also designed for the real world. It's exciting to see a company that doesn't just talk but actually delivers.”

Availability

Pre-orders start on July 15. Users can register on EcoFlow’s official website to learn more and place their order through an authorized EcoFlow installation partner. 

EcoFlow | https://www.ecoflow.com/us

Liberty Plugins, Inc. (“Liberty”), the pioneer of EV charge station management solutions since 2009, in partnership with Wallbox (NYSE: WBX), a global leader in EV charging hardware, is proud to announce the launch of the U.S.-made Liberty CodeConnect Wallbox Charger, a breakthrough managed charging solution that fuses the Wallbox Pulsar Plus EV charger and Liberty’s patented CodeConnect encryption technology.

The Liberty CodeConnect Wallbox Charger enables the essential management features of access control and payment without the need for an internet connection. Available in two variants, 40A and 48A, the Liberty CodeConnect Wallbox Charger is offered at a market leading price of $1,495 per unit and a flat subscription fee of $9/month. A promotional discount available through August 15th improves on an already incredible value for a limited time.

Developed in close collaboration between the two companies, the new product combines Wallbox’s world-class industrial design with Liberty’s U.S.-made CodeConnect encryption technology, resulting in a simple, intuitive user interface that meets the latest standards for safety and compliance. The Liberty CodeConnect Wallbox Charger delivers managed EV charging capabilities to markets in North America that have traditionally been inaccessible due to high upfront costs, security objections, or internet connectivity challenges.

Key system and operational features of the Liberty CodeConnect Wallbox Charger include:

• Lowest-Cost Solution for Managed Charging: No hidden charges, surprise fees, or unnecessary upgrades – delivering the greatest value for the most important charge management features. 

• Simple Access Management: Operators can sell or distribute temporary time-based session codes to drivers in their organization, or to the public.

• No Network or Gateway Setup Required: All CodeConnect chargers are ready to deploy out of the box, simplifying installation and reducing costs.

“Value, transparency, and customer service are the core values of Liberty Plugins, guiding the development and implementation of all our products, technologies, and services,” said Kristen Helsel, CEO of Liberty Plugins. “The Liberty CodeConnect Wallbox Charger represents the natural evolution of our product development: high-quality, intuitively managed charging without the exorbitant fees and high lifetime cost of ownership imposed by other providers. We’re thrilled to have a partner in Wallbox, a world leader in charging equipment, who shares our vision of making EV charging accessible and affordable. In a time where businesses and organizations are facing funding cuts and other challenges, the Liberty CodeConnect Wallbox Charger delivers an affordable, simple, and reliable charge station management solution.”

“At Wallbox, we believe that EV charging should be simple, smart, and accessible to everyone,” said Esteve Dolsa, General Manager of North America. “The Liberty CodeConnect Wallbox Charger demonstrates the power of innovation and collaboration: by combining Wallbox’s award-winning Pulsar Plus hardware with Liberty’s Code Connect technology, we’re enabling a new level of flexibility and affordability for customers.”

The Liberty CodeConnect Wallbox Charger is unique, making it possible to sell charge sessions without the need for a local network connection. Remote parks and rural places of beauty, areas that typically lack a reliable internet connection, can now benefit from access control and paid charging sessions. Secure sites like corporate facilities, military bases, and government buildings can implement managed EV charging without increasing their exposure to cyber threats by connecting new devices to internal networks. Cost-sensitive businesses, housing developments and organizations can benefit from managed charging without expensive subscriptions or unnecessarily complex features.

Liberty pioneered the EV charging industry with the launch of the first charge station management platform in 2009. Today, its product portfolio includes Hydra, an innovative hardware-based Charge Station Management System; the cloud-based Liberty Access Platform for universal charge station administration; and a growing family of Liberty CodeConnect chargers. Together, these innovations have earned Liberty a reputation for delivering affordable, accessible charging solutions.

Liberty CodeConnect Wallbox Chargers are available for pre-order now, with shipments beginning in August. Additionally, new customers can receive a special promotional discount rate between now and August 15th. To purchase Liberty CodeConnect Wallbox Chargers, and for more information, visit https://www.libertyplugins.com/products/codeconnect/.

Wallbox | www.wallbox.com

Liberty Plugins | www.libertyplugins.com