The Solar Product Registry Set to Boost Solar Deployment

OCI Energy and Sabanci Renewables are excited to announce the first collaboration between the companies whereby Sabanci has purchased Project Pepper from OCI Energy. The transaction marks the first collaboration between the companies with additional transactions under consideration. Located in McLennan County, Texas, Project Pepper is a utility-scale solar power project, strategically sited to meet growing demand for reliable and affordable energy in the region.

OCI Energy developed Project Pepper from inception and led all phases of site acquisition, pre-construction site studies, permitting, and grid interconnection. Sabanci Renewables will now finance, construct, own and operate the project, which is expected to reach commercial operation in Q3 of 2027.

“We are proud to bring Project Pepper to this major milestone,” said Sabah Bayatli, President of OCI Energy. “This transaction is a testament to the strength of our development platform, our team's deep market expertise, and our ability to advance impactful projects that support energy transition goals across Texas and the U.S. We look forward to seeing Project Pepper become a contributor to the clean energy economy under Sabanci's stewardship.”

“We’re pleased to partner with OCI Energy on Project Pepper — a well-executed project that aligns perfectly with our growth strategy in the U.S.,” said Tolga Kaan Doğancıoğlu, CEO of Sabanci Climate Technologies. “This collaboration reflects our confidence in the U.S. energy market and our commitment to scaling a resilient power portfolio. With this latest addition, we now hold 660 MWdc of solar capacity either operational or under construction, building toward our long-term goal of a 3,000 MWdc renewable portfolio by 2030.”

Project Pepper marks OCI Energy’s continued leadership in utility-scale solar and battery energy storage project development across the U.S., with a pipeline of over 5 GWac of projects currently under development.

Sidley Austin LLP provided legal services to OCI Energy and Troutman Pepper Locke LLP provided legal services to for Sabanci Renewables.

OCI Energy | https://www.ocienergy.com/

Sabanci Renewables | sabanciclimatetech.com

In a recent announcement already reverberating through the clean energy and recycling sectors, Redwood Materials unveiled Redwood Energy, a new initiative that turns the second-life battery conversation from theoretical to tangible. With this move, Redwood is not only expanding its already-dominant footprint in battery recycling but also delivering a loud and clear message: Repurposing isn’t optional anymore. It’s a necessity.

For fleet managers, EV OEMs, and battery recyclers sitting on growing stockpiles of partially depleted EV batteries, this is the proof of concept—and the call to action—you’ve been waiting for.

The Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle Hierarchy—And Where We’ve Gone Wrong

The environmental and economic logic of Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle is simple:

• Reuse - giving a product a second life for its original use – putting an EV battery back into another EV.
• Repurpose - transforming a used product for a new function – turning second-life batteries into an energy storage system.
• Recycle - breaking the product down to its raw materials.

However, with lithium-ion EV batteries, the U.S. industry has largely skipped the first two steps. Instead, we’ve defaulted to a “recycle-first” mindset that sends batteries straight to shred. It’s like taking a bite of a sandwich, declaring you're full, and throwing the rest away. With up to 80% of usable energy still left in many EV battery packs, we’re discarding value, wasting critical mineral resources, and missing a huge opportunity to close the grid's energy gap.

An Impending Energy Crisis Nobody Is Talking About

In 2024 alone, over 1.3 million EVs were sold in the United States, and those numbers are set to grow exponentially. Alongside that growth comes ever-growing piles of retired EV batteries—many with years of energy potential still remaining. Meanwhile, the demand for electricity is climbing fast, driven by data centers, AI computing, EV charging infrastructure, and power-hungry industries like crypto-mining.

The result? A mounting energy-generation demand delta that’s outpacing our ability to deploy new energy generation capacity. As Redwood Materials puts it:

"Redwood Energy offers a faster, lower-cost solution: repurposing used battery packs—with most of their capacity remaining—into modular energy storage systems that bridge today’s infrastructure gaps and maximize value between recovery and recycling."

Redwood’s Advantage: From Recycler to Repurposer

Redwood Materials already recycles more than 20 GWh of batteries annually, about 90% of all lithium-ion batteriesprocessed in North America. While Redwood and other recyclers have done well, margins are thin and new battery chemistries less profitable. Redwood Energy responds to those tightening margins by capturing the untapped value before recycling.

Instead of tearing batteries down to cells or modules, Redwood’s approach preserves battery packs in their original form. This design choice offers significant advantages:

• Low-Cost: Repurposed packs avoid the costs of disassembly, reconfiguration, and raw materials procurement. Systems built this way cost substantially less than new lithium-ion projects.
• Fast: Keeping packs intact bypasses lengthy permitting and reengineering phases common in traditional battery energy storage systems.
• Scalable: With no architectural scale limitations, Redwood’s system is ready to meet the exponential growth in electricity demand.

Second-Life Packs vs. Modules or Cells: The Tradeoff

Some recyclers and integrators still hesitate, favoring batteries that are broken down into cells or modules for tighter integration or uniformity. But this approach comes with tradeoffs—higher costs, longer timelines, and unnecessary waste.

Using intact EV battery packs offers numerous benefits:

• Faster integration: The packs already include built-in battery management systems, thermal controls, and safety features.
• Lower engineering burden: No need to redesign housing or controls from scratch.
• More circularity: Keeping the pack whole aligns with sustainability principles, reduces hazardous material handling, and reduces lifecycle emissions.

That’s not to say modules and cells don’t have their place—but if the battery’s cells are all healthy, why not use it as is, to reap the benefits while avoiding downsides?

The Time Is Now: A Call to Action

Redwood Energy is a harbinger—a signal flare lighting a path to higher revenues for EV recyclers, fleet managers, and OEMs. For those with aging EV fleets, warranty returns, or decommissioned batteries, this is your chance to lead instead of lag.

If you're a:

• Recycler still defaulting to shred: It’s time to evolve. Integrate repurposing into your pipeline and capture more value from every pack.
• Fleet Manager with retired vehicles: Don’t scrap your batteries. Partner with a repurposing solution provider and offset your energy costs with your own assets.
• OEM or Dealer with warehouse stock: Unlock a new revenue stream. Repurposed packs can become the foundation for backup systems, mobile energy units, or grid-tied BESS.

The Future of Batteries is Circular

Redwood Materials has done more than launch a new product—they’ve validated a second-life battery use. In a grid-stressed world with rising energy needs and mounting battery waste, second-life battery repurposing isn’t just smart—it’s imperative.

Don’t throw away the rest of the sandwich. Instead, bite into the opportunity repurposing offers.

Redwood Energy just showed us giving EV batteries a second life is doable. Who’s next?

For collaboration, integration, or to learn more about second-life battery reuse and repurposing strategies, connect with Smartville at Smartville.io.

Redwood Energy | https://www.redwoodenergy.net/

Layered sodium manganese oxide (NaMnO₂), especially its β-phase, has received considerable attention for use as cathodes in sodium-ion batteries. However, β-NaMnO₂ exhibits stacking faults (SFs), which severely reduce its cycling stability. In a new study, researchers studied how copper-doping can eliminate SFs in β-NaMnO₂, significantly improving cycling stability. This strategy can lead to the development of longer-lasting sodium-ion batteries, leading to more affordable energy-storage solutions.

Sodium (Na)-ion batteries have recently emerged as cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to lithium (Li)-ion batteries. Na, the sixth most abundant element on Earth, offers lower material costs and greater availability compared to Li-ion batteries. The design of cathode materials plays a key role in determining battery life and stability. Layered sodium manganese oxide (NaMnO₂) has received increased attention from researchers for its use as a  cathode material in Na-ion batteries. 

NaMnO₂ exists in two crystal forms: α-NaMnO₂ and β-NaMnO₂. The α-phase features a monoclinic layered structure, where planar MnO₂ layers, consisting of edge-sharing distorted MnO₆ octahedra, are stacked alternatively with Na-ions in between. β-NaMnO_2, on the other hand, features corrugated or zig-zag layers of edge-sharing distorted MnO₆ octahedra, also with Na-ions in between. Synthesis of β-NaMnO₂ typicallyrequires higher temperatures, often leading to Na-deficient phases. 

Attempts to prevent Na-deficient phases produce non-equilibrium β-phases that exhibit several defects. The most notable among these are the stacking faults (SFs), formed by slipping of the crystallographic b-c plane, generating stacking sequences resembling the α-phase. Electrodes made from SF-containing β-NaMnO₂suffer from severe capacity reduction during charge/discharge cycles, limiting their practical applications. Moreover, SFs complicate the understanding of the material’s solid-state chemistry.

Stacking faults in β-NaMnO₂ severely reduce their capacity during charging/discharging cycles. Copper doping effectively eliminates stacking faults, significantly improving cycling stability, enabling the development of long-lasting sodium-ion batteries. (Image credit: Professor Shinichi Komaba from Tokyo University of Science, Japan)

In a new study, a research team led by Professor Shinichi Komaba from the Department of Applied Chemistry at Tokyo University of Science (TUS), Japan, investigated how copper (Cu) doping can stabilize SFs in β-NaMnO₂. “In a previous study, we found that among the metal dopants, Cu is the only dopant that can successfully stabilize β-NaMnO₂,” explains Prof. Komaba. “In this study, we systematically explored how Cu doping can suppress SF and improve the electrochemical performance of β-NaMnO₂ electrodes in Na-ion batteries.” The team also included Mr. Syuhei Sato, Mr. Yusuke Mira, and Dr. Shinichi Kumakura from the  Research Institute for Science and Technology, TUS. Their findings were published online in the journal Advanced Materials on July 15, 2025.

The team synthesized a series of highly crystalline, Cu-doped β-NaMnO₂ samples (NaMn_1-xCu_xO₂) with varying amounts of Cu, denoted as NMCO-00, -05, -10, -12, and -15, corresponding to Cu doping levels from 0% to 15%. The NMCO-00 sample served as the undoped reference. Through X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies, the team found that among the Cu doped samples, NMCO-05 exhibited the highest SF concentration at 4.4%, while in NMCO-12, the SF concentration was only 0.3%, indicating a clear suppression of SFs with increased Cu doping. 

Electrochemical evaluation of electrodes made from the NMCO samples in Na half cells revealed significantly enhanced capacity retention in Cu-doped samples. While the undoped sample showed rapid capacity loss within 30 cycles, the SF-free NMCO-12 and -15 samples demonstrated excellent cycle stability, with the NMCO-12 exhibiting no capacity loss for over 150 cycles. These results suggest that the β-phase of layered NaMnO₂ is inherently stable when SFs are eliminated.

Importantly, the SF-free structure allowed the researchers to examine the complex phase transitions that occur during Na insertion and extraction in these materials. Using a combination of in situ and ex situ XRD measurements, and density functional theory calculations, the researchers proposed a new structural model involving drastic gliding of the corrugated MnO₂ layers. This gliding appears to be unique to the β-phase and was previously obscured by the presence of SFs, marking a major advancement in understanding the characteristic structural changes of the β-phase of NaMnO₂ during electrode reactions. 

“Our findings confirm that manganese-based oxides are a promising and sustainable solution for developing highly durable Na-ion batteries,” notes Prof. Komaba. “Owing to the relatively low cost of manganese and Na, this research will lead to more affordable energy-storage solutions for a variety of applications, including smartphones and electric vehicles, ultimately leading to a more sustainable future.”

This study also demonstrates that stabilization of SF using Cu doping could resolve the supply chain vulnerabilities that are commonly faced with metals like lithium. Moreover, the study has potential implications in grid storage, electric vehicles, and consumer electronics. 

The study offers valuable insights for developing more stable and long-lasting Na-ion batteries, leading to wider renewable energy adoption, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.

Tokyo University of Science | https://www.tus.ac.jp/en/mediarelations/

***

Reference                       

Title of original paper: Synthesis and Electrochemistry of Stacking Fault-Free β-NaMnO₂

Journal: Advanced Materials

DOI:10.1002/adma.202507011

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