Stardust Solar Expands to Houston, TX with First Organic U.S. Franchise Following Solar Grids Acquisition

Stardust Solar Energy Inc. (TSXV: SUN) ("Stardust Solar" or the "Company"), a leading provider of residential solar energy solutions, is pleased to announce another expansion in the United States with the sale of a Stardust Solar franchise located in Harris County to the new franchise owner, Tim Hill. This marks Stardust Solar's first organic expansion in the U.S. following its recent acquisition of Solar Grids Development LLC, highlighting the Company's focus on capitalizing on the growth opportunities in the American solar market.

Stardust Solar's entry into the Houston area is an important milestone in its strategy to expand its franchise footprint across the U.S. market. The addition of Harris County to the Company's franchise network, with a population of over 4.8 million, demonstrates the scalability and ability of Stardust Solar's franchise model to unlock opportunities in high-demand regions.

Tim Hill is a proud US Navy veteran. As our newest franchise operator, Tim brings strong leadership and a mission-driven focus to the Stardust Solar team. "I'm excited to bring Stardust Solar's solutions to Houston," said Hill. "Texas has incredible solar potential, and I'm proud to contribute to homeowners' energy independence while helping to reduce strain on the grid."

The franchise territory expansion comes as Texas continues to demonstrate growth in solar adoption. A recent report by Environment Texas11 found the state ranks third in the U.S. for residential solar power generation, producing 2,575 GWh of electricity in 2022-a 3,700% increase over the last decade. The report highlights the enthusiasm of Texans for generating their own clean electricity, reducing reliance on the grid, and cutting energy costs. Houston, as one of the largest and fastest-growing cities in Texas, is a key market for Stardust Solar's expansion efforts.

"We believe that Texas is a solar powerhouse," said Mark Tadros, Founder and CEO of Stardust Solar. "With its large population, high energy demands, and increasing interest in renewable energy, the state offers important growth opportunities. The opening of our Houston franchise is just the beginning as we expand our footprint in the U.S. market."

Texas presents an opportunity for residential solar expansion due to its strong market demand, grid challenges, and untapped potential. Homeowners across the state are increasingly turning to solar energy to reduce costs and enhance grid resilience 1Solar has proven to alleviate strain on the transmission and distribution grid, offering a sustainable and practical solution. Despite ranking second in the U.S. for rooftop solar generation potential, Texas currently produces only 1.87%1 of that potential, highlighting immense room for growth and investment in renewable energy and storage solutions.

Stardust Solar remains committed to giving back to our veterans. As an effort to show our appreciation for service members, it offers a 15% discount to all veterans to empower franchise owners like Mr. Hill to bring sustainable energy solutions to their local communities.

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