WATT Fuel Cell Advances Commercial Rollout with First 2 kW WATT HOME Installation in Clarksburg and Initial Shipments to Hope Gas Ahead of 2026 Residential Launch

WATT Fuel Cell (“WATT”) announced significant progress in its commercial expansion strategy with the successful installation of the first 2kW WATT HOME solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system at the Edward M. Smith National Career and Life Skills Development Center, Hope Gas’s new state-of-the-art training facility in Clarksburg, West Virginia , alongside the initiation of early product shipments that will support residential installations beginning in January 2026.

These milestones demonstrate WATT’s continued execution on its commercialization roadmap and underscore growing market demand for natural-gas-enabled backup power solutions that enhance grid resiliency across outage-prone regions.

The WATT HOME system has now achieved certification at a 2 kW power rating, validating its strengthened performance profile. The WATT HOME system incorporates the fuel cell, battery, and inverter fully enabling home backup in grid outages. Additionally, WATT HOME systems qualify for up to a 30% ITC under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act improving long-term market adoption economics for this critical clean power source.

Caine Finnerty, WATT’s CEO and Founder shared, “The WATT HOME system’s new 2 kW certification marks a major technical and commercial milestone for our company. It validates the performance capabilities we’ve engineered for years and strengthens our competitive position as we move into multi-year deployment with Hope Gas. With the ITC benefit, we anticipate accelerated adoption and substantial value for customers, utilities, and investors.”

The December 16 installation represents the first field deployment under WATT’s multi-year agreement with Hope Gas - one of the largest residential fuel cell commitments in the United States. The installation within Hope’s state-of-the-art Clarksburg training center validates both product readiness and utility integration as WATT transitions from pre-commercial demonstration into volume deployment.

In January, Hope Gas will roll out its WATT HOME Ambassador Program, implementing early installations to provide direct feedback on the program. “Hope Gas is committed to innovation that serves our customers and strengthens West Virginia. Our Ambassador Program will ensure that the first homes receiving WATT HOME systems mirror the real-world conditions our customers face every day,” said Morgan O’Brien, Hope Gas CEO. The WATT HOME system gives our customers access to cutting-edge energy technology that supports their homes, their safety, and the state’s long-term energy resilience. By 2026, Hope Gas customers across West Virginia will have access to reliable, gas-supported backup power, an important step in strengthening electric reliability and resiliency statewide.”

WATT’s collaboration with Hope Gas is a pivotal growth driver. The initiative plans to deploy 7,250 WATT HOME units across West Virginia over three years, representing the largest committed volume opportunity in WATT’s history.

West Virginia’s frequent electrical outages and extensive natural gas infrastructure create ideal conditions for rapid adoption of natural gas-powered distributed generation. make it ideal for rapid adoption of natural gas-powered generation. The WATT HOME SOFC system activates automatically during grid disruptions, providing reliable, ultra-quiet power, offering an appealing alternative to traditional generators and a power-limited, battery-only solutions.

“Hope Gas is committed to strengthening West Virginia,” said O’Brien. “Our partnership with WATT and these initial installs are just the beginning of the initiative. This program will benefit West Viginia energy, its residents, and our workforce. Hope is proud to partner with WATT to bring this vision to reality.”

Hope Gas | www.hopegas.com

Hope Utilities | www.hopeutilities.com