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Geronimo Power (Geronimo) announced the start of commercial operations at its Dodson Creek Solar Project (Dodson Creek) in Highland County, Ohio. Located within the PJM market, Dodson will deliver 117 megawatts (MW) of power and generate an estimated $49 million in direct economic benefit for the local community.
"Together with our community members and project partners, we're proud to expand our commitment to Ohio," stated Andy Cukurs, Chief Operations Officer for Geronimo Power. "With Dodson Creek, our total Ohio operating portfolio has reached 675 MW - that equates to over $240 million in economic benefit to local and state residents throughout our portfolio's operating life."
During construction, Dodson Creek employed 125 construction workers at its peak. The project was constructed by Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) partner, Kiewit Power Constructors Co.
"We are pleased that the Dodson Creek Solar Project is now in commercial operation, reflecting our strong partnership with Geronimo Power and the Highland County community," said Brian Koller, Vice President of Kiewit Power Constructors Co. "Kiewit is proud to have successfully delivered this project and to support Ohio's clean energy future and long-term economic growth."
Dodson Creek utilizes Series 7 modules developed and produced by First Solar, Inc (Nasdaq: FSLR), which operates a major manufacturing and R&D hub in nearby Perrysburg, Ohio.
"We're proud that our Series 7 technology is helping power the Dodson Creek Solar Project," said Dr. Mounir El Asmar, First Solar's Head of Strategic Accounts. "This milestone reflects the strength of our partnership with Geronimo Power and underscores how genuinely American solar technology can drive economic growth while supporting the nation's need for affordable energy."
Over the first 20 years of operation, Dodson Creek is anticipated to produce approximately $21 million in new tax revenue for Highland County and local townships, school districts and emergency (fire/EMS/mental health) districts.
Additionally, Geronimo announced a pledge to contribute $585,000 to Highland County charities and organizations through a dedicated charitable fund. These operating project charitable funds are unique to Geronimo and exemplify how they commit to being good neighbors within the communities in which their projects are built.
Geronimo Power | www.geronimopower.com
LG Energy Solution announced that it has joined SDVerse, becoming the first battery company to participate. This move underscores the company's technological leadership as it expands beyond battery manufacturing into the software and services that power next-generation vehicles.
Co-founded in 2024 by General Motors, Magna, and Wipro, SDVerse is the automotive industry's first B2B marketplace for automotive software. It enables sellers to list software solutions that buyers can easily search, compare, and evaluate to find the best fit. As the era of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) takes shape, SDVerse has quickly evolved into a trusted digital hub that helps accelerate innovation across software-defined mobility.
By joining SDVerse, LG Energy Solution is bringing its battery software capabilities directly into the SDV environment, enabling smarter diagnostics, safer operation, and longer battery life. The company is offering five core battery software solutions—Battery Platform SW, Safety Diagnostic Calibration Tool, Onboard FRISM, Onboard BLiS, and Onboard DASH.
Battery Platform SW comprehensively analyzes key battery status indicators, integrating LG Energy Solution's proven BMS technologies into an SDV-optimized architecture.
The Safety Diagnostic Calibration Tool enables safety diagnostics and simulation validation based on battery data. This tool provides algorithms that companies can leverage to perform in-house analysis and operations without relying on external data sources, minimizing the risk of data leakage while enhancing security.
Onboard FRISM, also known as the Cell Data Free SOH Model, is an algorithm-based automotive software that estimates battery condition based on battery field data. It enables accurate diagnosis of battery degradation without cell test data by applying machine learning–based error correction.
Onboard BLiS, which stands for Battery Life Simulator, is an algorithm that numerically predicts the battery degradation process and estimates changes in battery performance under various conditions. It can also predict how rapid‑charging capability changes as batteries degrade, and simulate battery health based on a physical model by continuously monitoring voltage, current, and temperature.
Onboard DASH, which stands for Degradation Reduction Action Strategy for Battery Health, is an algorithm designed to manage the lifespan of EV batteries. It quantitatively analyzes how driving and charging behaviors affect battery degradation, monitors battery status in real time, and provides guidance to support long‑term battery health.
"We are proud to welcome LG Energy Solution and its advanced battery management software, diagnostics, and SDV-ready battery architecture to SDVerse," said Prashant Gulati, CEO of SDVerse. "By combining deep battery expertise with software-driven intelligence, LG Energy Solution is helping accelerate the development of next-generation electric vehicles."
"The SDV era is turning vehicles into ever-evolving software platforms, and batteries are at the core of this transformation," said Je Young Kim, CTO of LG Energy Solution. "By introducing our battery software to SDVerse, we are not only demonstrating our readiness for the software-defined future but also ensuring that our battery intelligence is reflected at every stage of the vehicle lifecycle."
The company has demonstrated distinctive battery software and service capabilities through more than 20 years of BMS development. Over that time, it has accumulated over 10,000 BMS-related patents, building deep expertise in the process. Last October, the company's pioneering status was reaffirmed after becoming the first battery maker to be awarded a CES Innovation Award purely through software technology with its battery life management solution, Better.Re.
Through its participation in the SDVerse ecosystem, LG Energy Solution plans to showcase its expertise in battery service and software technologies built over time, solidifying its position as a comprehensive energy solution provider.
LG Energy Solution | https://news.lgensol.com
SDVerse | www.sdverse.auto
XCharge North America ("XCharge NA"), the North American subsidiary of XCHG Limited (Nasdaq: XCH) and a provider of high-power EV charging and battery-integrated solutions designed to strengthen the North American electrical grid, and JOJO Superfast EV Charging announced a strategic partnership to deploy a high-power electric vehicle charging network across Illinois. Beyond manufacturing the chargers, XCharge NA will oversee every site from concept to completion through its comprehensive turnkey solutions team.
The partnership will bring 800kW of ultra-fast charging capacity to nine initial locations, strategically positioned at Menards—the Midwest’s premier home improvement chain—across the state, providing reliable, high-speed infrastructure where Chicagoland drivers shop and travel. Each site will feature four C6 Smart DC Fast Chargers, providing a total of eight charging ports per location, including:
To celebrate the network’s launch, JOJO Superfast held a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday at the Menards in Crestwood, the first site to go fully operational. Attendees included Joe Sheehan, CEO of JOJO Superfast; Alex Urist, Co-founder and Senior Vice President of Marketing at XCharge North America; Ken Klein, Mayor of Crestwood, Illinois; Daryl Richardson, New Business Manager at ComEd; and Dennis Esquivel, Electric Vehicle Policy Advisor at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
The successful deployment of this new network serves as a prime example of how state and utility incentives—coupled with manufacturers, operators, and state agencies—can turn subsidies into immediate, impactful community assets. The project was made possible through the coordinated efforts of:
“As an Illinois native, I am incredibly proud to bring this level of infrastructure to my home state,” said Aatish Patel, President and Co-founder of XCharge North America. “But we aren’t just installing hardware—we are providing Illinois drivers a more efficient, reliable charging experience to replace range anxiety with total confidence.”
“For too long, residents of the South Side of Chicago have been plagued by range anxiety, forcing EV drivers to plan their lives around where they can find a plug. But today, we’re changing that narrative,” said Joe Sheehan, CEO of JOJO Superfast. “Our goal at JOJO’s is to build the most accessible ultra-fast network in the state, and XCharge’s unmatched technology and hardware are the keys to making that scale possible. I also want to thank ComEd and the IEPA, whose collaboration with us proves that EV incentives can create something incredibly impactful when everyone works together.”
XCharge North America | https://www.xcharge.us/
JOJO Superfast EV Charging | https://jojosuperfast.com/
South 8 Technologies (South 8), a California-based advanced battery company, announced the execution of a funding agreement under the PowerForward Battery Manufacturing Grant Program, administered by CALSTART with support from New Energy Nexus (NEX), UC Berkeley Labor Center and funded by the California Energy Commission (CEC).
PowerForward is California’s market-accelerating, $67 million grant program designed to attract and retain zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) battery manufacturing in California, create high-quality jobs, generate positive economic impacts for local communities, and contribute to California’s goal of zero-emission transportation.
South 8 has developed a liquefied gas electrolyte (LiGas®) platform that differs fundamentally from conventional lithium-ion electrolytes. LiGas batteries deliver enhanced safety, industry-leading low-temperature performance, fast-charging capability and longer cycle life, enabling lithium-ion batteries to operate reliably across a wide temperature range while maintaining performance, addressing key challenges facing ZEV adoption. LiGas also enables a fully domestic electrolyte supply chain, as its gases are manufactured in the United States at industrial scale and readily available, reducing exposure to foreign supply-chain risk.
Under the executed agreement, South 8 will expand its current San Diego headquarters to support its growth to scale LiGas electrolyte production to 100 MWh and lithium-ion cell production to 2 MWh annually. Battery cells produced in the project will be supplied to South 8’s defense, aerospace, and mobility customers. Customers receiving South 8 battery cells will include global automotive manufacturers in support of development and qualification programs.
“We’re excited to scale production of our advanced LiGas electrolyte and high-performance, resilient battery cells,” said Jungwoo Lee, CEO of South 8 Technologies. “Expanding our San Diego operations is a critical step in strengthening the domestic battery supply chain in support of our customers in defense, aerospace, and zero-emission vehicle deployment.”
“PowerForward was created to scale battery production in California while delivering skilled jobs and economic benefits to local populations in support of the state's zero-emission transportation goals. South 8’s innovative project in San Diego reflects the program’s goals of building a robust domestic supply chain, strengthening in-state battery manufacturing, and advancing technologies that support zero-emission transportation. We’re proud to support their work,” said Phoebe Bisnoff, Deputy Director of Battery Manufacturing at CALSTART.
The PowerForward grant solicitation was released on April 5, 2024. Following a competitive evaluation process, CALSTART issued a Notice of Proposed Awards identifying applicants recommended for funding based on technical merit, manufacturing readiness, economic impact, and alignment with California’s ZEV and workforce objectives. South 8’s project was selected as part of this competitive process and reflects the company’s continued investment in California-based manufacturing infrastructure and advanced battery technology development.
South 8 Technologies | south8.com
PowerForward | powerforwardgrant.org
Wind technicians climb hundreds of vertical feet inside turbine towers, often multiple times a day. The physical demand of those repeated climbs accumulates over time, creating fatigue, increasing strain, and introducing additional risk across already complex operations. Sky Climber Renewables built the Vertical Assist System (VAS) to address those conditions directly, changing how that work is done and who bears the physical cost of it.
The VAS was engineered from the ground up around how technicians actually work in the field. Rather than adapting legacy designs, the development process centered on real-world tower conditions, direct input from operators and field teams, and patented innovations focused on reliability, safety, and long-term usability.
The system made its public debut at the 2026 ACP Operations, Maintenance & Safety (OMS) Conference in Orlando, where operators, OEM partners, and service providers engaged with the VAS firsthand. The response from industry professionals reflected a clear recognition of the problem the system is designed to solve.
Engineered for Safety and Durability
A key innovation is the system’s cam-free overspeed protection, engineered to function reliably under rigorous operating conditions while eliminating components that can snag, bind, or become obstructed.
The VAS also integrates soft start and stop drive technology, delivering controlled acceleration and deceleration that improves ride quality, reduces mechanical stress, and increases technician confidence during use.
The system includes several purpose-built features developed to address conditions technicians encounter on every climb:
Each feature reflects a focused engineering approach, solving practical challenges while improving both safety and usability inside the tower environment.
Executive Perspectives
“Our industry depends on the people who climb these towers every day to keep wind fleets operating safely and efficiently. The VAS reflects our commitment to improving the working conditions of the technicians who power the clean energy industry.”
The Vertical Assist System is protected by U.S. Patent No. 12,460,432, with additional patents pending.
Sky Climber Renewables | https://skyclimber-re.com/
Stellar Solar Commercial, one of the most experienced residential and commercial solar and battery installers in Southern California and Michigan since 1998 and a consistent winner of the San Diego Union-Tribune Readers Poll for Best Solar Company, recently added another sizeable project to its commercial solar portfolio. The Parkway Club Apartments in El Cajon, California, feature 1,767 Canadian Solar panels that now power 267 apartment units. The San Diego-area commercial solar project brings solar to non-homeowners, a segment of the population that Stellar Solar Commercial has worked to help access the same benefits of solar power as homeowners through its growing multifamily portfolio.
Stellar Solar founding partner and Vice President of Operations Brian Grems emphasized the importance of project diversity within the company's commercial division.
"Our residential division has focused exclusively on homeowners for the past 28 years, so the ability to offer the benefits of solar to renters through our commercial multifamily projects is something we are proud to be a part of with Parkway Club parent company Bridge Investment Group Holdings, who approached us with this opportunity," Grems said. "With the expansion of the commercial solar industry comes projects like this that can distribute the benefits of solar and battery storage to a wider range of beneficiaries."
Stellar Solar Commercial works with executive management and facilities managers to craft energy solutions tailored to the unique needs of each business.
While the company takes pride in its multimegawatt installations, it also values smaller commercial projects that help small- and medium-sized businesses increase profitability. With the addition of commercial solar batteries to most installations, the return on investment is even greater, making solar a smart investment for many businesses. Stellar Solar was among the first commercial solar installers in the country to introduce battery storage to solar systems and has maintained that leadership position.
Stellar Solar offers no-pressure commercial and residential solar and battery quotes for home and business owners interested in reducing energy costs and maintaining a steady power supply. Commercial solar quotes are also available for businesses, nonprofits, schools and faith-based organizations.
Stellar Solar | www.stellarsolar.net
Chanani Group is proud to announce the launch of CM EV Services LLC, a new venture dedicated to developing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across Southern California. The initiative marks a significant step forward in supporting the region's transition to clean transportation.
CM EV Services has partnered with Motive Energy, one of the largest solar and energy infrastructure providers in the United States. Motive Energy's Sustainable Solutions division will serve as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) partner for all initial projects as well as ongoing system integration and operational support.
Initial Charging Hub Developments in Torrance
Development is currently underway on three EV charging hub locations in Torrance:
Each site will include:
Expanding into Solar & Sustainable Hospitality
In addition to public charging infrastructure, Chanani Group is collaborating with Motive Energy on the installation of solar and EV charging systems at Bluestem Hotel, further integrating renewable energy into its hospitality and commercial portfolio.
Leadership Perspective
"This initiative is about more than infrastructure—it's about building for the future of our communities—supporting cleaner transportation, energy independence, and long-term sustainability."
Motive Energy | https://www.motiveenergy.com/
Alternative Energies Mar 30, 2026
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