NeoVolta Inc., a San-Diego based leader in smart energy storage solutions, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Ardes Johnson as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Johnson will officially assume his new role on April 29, 2024, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record of transformative leadership in the energy sector. His predecessor, Brent Willson, Founder and CEO of NeoVolta, will continue his role as Chairman of the Board and now serve as CTO.

“Ardes’ impressive track record in the energy sector, particularly his transformative role at Tesla, aligns perfectly with NeoVolta’s mission to innovate and lead in the renewable energy storage market,” said Brent Willson, outgoing CEO of NeoVolta. “We are confident that his visionary leadership and deep industry knowledge will continue to enhance our product offerings and expand market presence, ensuring reliable, safe, and efficient energy storage solutions for homes across America.”

“I am immensely excited to join NeoVolta at this pivotal moment and contribute to its mission with a focus on three key objectives: expanding revenue through strategic sales channel development, broadening financing options through partnerships with major industry players, and initiating the development of the next generation of NeoVolta batteries,” said incoming NeoVolta CEO Ardes Johnson. “Each of these areas is crucial for accelerating our growth and enhancing our competitive edge in the market. I have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to apply my expertise to a product with as much potential as NeoVolta’s offerings, and I am confident that together, we will shape the future of energy storage.” 

Johnson joins NeoVolta from Meyer Burger Americas, where, as President and General Manager, he spearheaded the company’s successful transition to module sales in the U.S. Under his leadership, Meyer Burger’s expansion in the Americas has achieved a multi-gigawatt backlog of over $1 billion dollars and is scaling to 2 gigawatts per year of manufacturing in just 18 months.

Prior to Meyer Burger, Johnson held various leadership roles in the energy space. However, his tenure at Tesla stands out as particularly noteworthy. As Director of Americas Sales and Marketing for Tesla’s Energy Products division, Johnson was instrumental in the development and success of Tesla’s energy storage solutions, where he and his team launched the partner channel program for the PowerWall and PowerPack products in the Utility, Residential and Commercial Markets. His leadership helped secure a landmark 80 MWh storage contract with Southern California Edison. This achievement was part of a broader strategy that significantly expanded Tesla's energy storage footprint across North America.

Johnson's background also includes strategic roles at SolarWorld Americas and General Electric, where he demonstrated his ability to drive profitability and innovation in highly competitive markets. His extensive experience is supported by a strong academic foundation, including a Master of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University, a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University and serving as a Naval Nuclear Officer aboard the USS Harry S Truman.

NeoVolta | www.neovolta.com