Protecting Our Grid Lines

Following the previously announced acquisition of National Grid Renewables by Brookfield Asset Management ("Brookfield") and its institutional partners, the company will move forward and transact business under the brand name, Geronimo Power ("Geronimo").

"We're honored to rebrand the company in a way that celebrates and recognizes the roots we established under the Geronimo brand back in 2007," said Blake Nixon, President and CEO of Geronimo Power. "We're proud to have earned a reputation for putting landowners and communities first, and we'll carry that legacy forward as Geronimo Power, continuing our commitment to deliver reliable, innovative power solutions to meet growing demand in the US."

Since its inception by founder Noel P. Rahn, a rural Minnesota native and landowner, Geronimo Power has become a well-respected business in the renewables industry, known for its dedication to American farmers and rural communities. Geronimo's projects empower landowners with new revenue opportunities, foster sustainable development within local communities, and provide resilient power solutions critical to a future-ready American economy.

Geronimo develops and operates vital electric infrastructure projects that deliver dependable domestic energy, while powering American economies and strengthening local economies. From Minnesota down to Texas, the company successfully operates more than 2 gigawatts (GW) of power generation, with another 1 GW under construction and a development portfolio of more than 20 GW. Collectively, its current operating and construction portfolios are poised to provide approximately $840 million in direct economic benefits for American communities over their operating lives.

As further commitment to its values, Geronimo also initiates charitable funds for each of its owned and operational large-scale projects. The purpose of these funds is to engage with and contribute money to charitable activities and organizations within project host communities. These charitable funds exemplify the company's pledge to be a good neighbor within their project communities and take direction from local community members themselves.

Geronimo Power (formerly National Grid Renewables) | www.geronimopower.com 

Verne is now offering zero-emission off-grid power to customers. Customers are increasingly seeking quiet, clean on-site power generation in applications including ports, EV charging, construction and data centers. Verne has partnered with a leading equipment rental company that supplies diesel generators to meet customers’ grid-independent power needs and has recently added hydrogen power generators to their equipment fleet. Verne will provide hydrogen fuel and fuel storage to create an integrated hydrogen-to-power solution available to customers nationwide.

In one of Verne’s recent deployments, the company demonstrated the integrated hydrogen-to-power offering in Southern California for customers in construction and EV charging. Verne delivered hydrogen to hydrogen fuel cell generators developed by EODev. The demonstration showcased the ease and efficiency of zero-emission, quiet on-site power generation with hydrogen generators. The combined offering is the lowest cost solution for customers seeking rapid, permit-friendly power. 

“Verne was founded to provide reliable energy solutions to the most critical sectors of the economy,” said Ted McKlveen, Co-founder & CEO of Verne. “Working with established equipment rental partners will help us reach customers seeking clean, efficient off-grid power and allow us to accelerate deployment of our solutions in the most critical, most demanding sectors of the economy.”

Verne | https://www.verne-power.com/

S-5!, the leading authority on attachment solutions for metal roofs, is proud to announce that its PVKIT rail-less solar mounting system has achieved UL 3741 certification. This certification applies to the complete system when used with all S-5! clamps and brackets, MLPE clips and partner products.

This significant milestone reflects S-5!’s continued commitment to product safety, performance and innovation. The testing and evaluation were conducted using the latest updated and most rigorous standard.

“As firefighter safety becomes a growing concern with the proliferation of rooftop solar systems, UL 3741 compliance is becoming a common – and increasingly required – standard across both residential and commercial projects,” said S-5! Research and Development Director, Ricardo Barroso. “Our customers asked, and we listened. We pursued this certification to support safer metal rooftops and reliable solar integration.”

Why UL 3741 Matters:
UL 3741, Standard for Safety for Photovoltaic Hazard Control, is one of the recognized methods for meeting the National Electrical Code’s rapid shutdown requirements, specifically focused on reducing electric shock hazards for first responders. It evaluates the safety of a complete solar PV system –including racking, wiring and electrical components – during typical firefighter interactions such as stepping, kneeling or accidentally striking the system in emergency conditions.

Unlike other methods that rely on module-level power electronics (MLPE) with rapid shutdown on each panel, UL 3741 allows for system-level safety using string inverters and proper wire management. This provides more flexibility while still meeting or exceeding safety requirements.

“Our PVKIT system passed rigorous testing to ensure confidence in both S-5! components and the third-party products we list with our system,” said Barroso. “Firefighter safety is paramount, and UL 3741 helps ensure they can do their jobs without added risk from rooftop PV systems.”

The S-5! PVKIT, combined with UL 3741 certification, offers a compelling solution for EPCs and installers looking for cost-effective, code-compliant, and safe solar mounting on metal rooftops.

S-5! | www.s-5.com

Stäubli, a global leader in industrial and mechatronic solutions, is proud to announce the signing of the establishment of a new manufacturing facility in Bangalore, India. 

Stäubli has signed an agreement to establish a new manufacturing facility in Bangalore, India, dedicated to producing renewable energy connectors. This expansion marks Stäubli’s commitment to delivering high-value solutions tailored to the growing demands of the Indian renewable energy market. 

This strategic initiative supports India’s ambitious target of achieving 280 GW of solar energy by 2030. With operations set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025, this new facility will amplify Stäubli’s manufacturing capabilities, enhancing its capacity for rapid innovation and driving sustainable development throughout the region.

Gurupad Bhat, Managing Director of Stäubli Tech Systems India, stated, " This strategic initiative brings us closer to our customers and enhances our agility in delivering service excellence. We are excited about the prospects of contributing to the renewable landscape of India's dynamic industrial setting."

Gerald Vogt, group CEO, further emphasized, “The establishment of our manufacturing facility in Bengaluru is a testament to our long-term dedication to innovation. This expansion strengthens our presence in India and reinforces our commitment to driving sustainable growth in the region.”

Stäubli | www.staubli.com

Savant Systems, Inc., a global leader in smart home and power, has announced a philanthropic partnership with GRID Alternatives, the nation’s largest non-profit committed to building community-powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy. Savant will donate Savant Power Storage 20 units for projects in Mexico and Puerto Rico, provide technical assistance, and support training for GRID’s hands-on Installation Basics Training (IBT) courses.

Savant Power Storage systems will save money on energy costs that can be redirected to food, clothing, and physician care, to prevent blackouts that cause refrigerated food and medicine to spoil, and more. Recipients include a physical therapy center for elderly and vulnerable populations; a home that cares for 35 children and adolescents; a residential hospice and addiction support facility for men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis; a natural disaster rescue organization; and women-owned businesses who will operate completely off the grid.

“We’re proud to donate our latest energy storage products, training resources, and time to GRID – an organization that shares our mission to bring clean, renewable power to more living spaces and facilities worldwide,” said Bob Madonna, CEO of Savant. “For underserved communities with unstable electrical grids, the ability to store and easily access energy means reliable access to essentials many of us take for granted.” 

Savant's innovative Power Storage 20 system features an award-winning user app and a scalable inverter and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery system that delivers between 20 kWh and 200 kWh of storage capacity. The scalable energy storage system is an ideal fit for homes and facilities with varying energy needs, enabling cost savings and stored power in communities lacking reliable and consistent access to power. And combined with Savant’s modular smart electrical panel technology, the full energy ecosystem will be able to increase the battery runtime by intelligently shedding electric loads based on available power capacity. This will be especially critical for some of GRID’s fully off-grid projects.

The easy-to-use Savant app allows for monitoring, controlling, and automating everyday energy consumption, optimizing efficiency, reducing costs, and maximizing the life of stored energy during peak pricing periods and outages. Users can automate their home or facility for any scenario, such as switching to stored power in the event of a grid outage, prioritizing storing energy before an approaching storm, drawing power from the battery when energy from the grid may be more expensive, and much more. 

Through GRID’s real-world job training program, students will get hands-on experience installing Savant’s cutting-edge power management and storage technology. Power Storage 20 battery and inverter hardware will be donated to labs for in-person training and online education through Savant University, a virtual program that trains and certifies professional installers.

“If we are to grow renewable energy use, we must be able to build a skilled workforce trained to install solar electric systems and batteries,” said Jenean Smith, Vice President of International Programs at GRID. “Our efforts with partners such as Savant will help develop the next generation of solar and battery installers while providing them career growth, access to emerging technologies, and employment opportunities.”

Savant | savant.com 

Intelligent power management company Eaton announced that Molly Murphy, senior vice president of North American sales, will retire in early July after nearly three decades with the company. She will be succeeded by John Russler, who will report to Mike Yelton, president of Eaton’s Electrical Sector, Americas region.

John Russler

“Molly’s leadership has shaped a generation of Eaton talent and strengthened our customer relationships around the world,” said Yelton. “Her passion for developing people and building successful teams will leave a lasting legacy. We’re confident John’s strategic mindset and deep understanding of our business make him a great choice to guide our North American sales team through the exciting years ahead.”

Murphy joined Eaton in 1997 and has held numerous leadership roles across sales, marketing and channel operations. Since 2018, she has led North American sales for Eaton’s electrical business, spanning industrial, original equipment manufacturer (OEM), utility, commercial, data center, service and general sales teams. 

“I’ve had the privilege of working very closely with John for many years and fully believe he embodies what it means to be an Eaton leader,” said Murphy. “His active involvement in our inclusivity and professional development programs reflects his deep commitment to helping others succeed. I know the team will thrive under his guidance.” 

Russler joined Eaton in 2005 through its Technical Sales Leadership Development Program and has held various leadership roles in manufacturing, marketing and sales. Most recently, he served as senior vice president and general manager of the Power Components Division.

He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Lenoir-Rhyne University and a bachelor’s degree in engineering management from Miami University. Russler will remain based in Pittsburgh.

Additionally, Molly Jenks was appointed vice president of segments for Eaton’s North American sales team and Tom McCarron was named vice president of U.S. sales for Eaton’s Electrical Sector. Jenks and McCarron will report directly to Russler and operate out of Pittsburgh.

Jenks joined Eaton in 2015 and was previously the vice president of sales for both the OEM and Bussmann series products and director of marketing for Eaton’s industrial controls team.

McCarron brings more than 38 years of industry experience to his new role. He most recently served as Northeast regional vice president for Eaton’s North American sales team. 

Eaton | www.eaton.com

Zeo Energy Corp. (Nasdaq: ZEO) ("Zeo Energy," or "Zeo"), a leading Florida-based provider of residential solar and energy efficiency solutions, and Heliogen, Inc. (OTCQX: HLGN) ("Heliogen"), a provider of on-demand clean energy technology solutions, today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger and reorganization (the "Merger Agreement") pursuant to which Zeo will acquire all of Heliogen's outstanding equity securities in an all-stock transaction. The transaction is currently expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

Following the closing of the transaction, Zeo plans to leverage Heliogen's solutions, brand, intellectual property, capital, and technical talent to establish a division focused on long-duration energy generation and storage for commercial and industrial-scale facilities, including artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing data centers. The transaction is expected to create a robust clean energy platform spanning residential, commercial, and utility-scale markets, supported by internal financing capabilities and domain expertise.

Management Commentary

"Heliogen brings a set of practical solutions to customers, particularly data centers, looking for longer duration energy storage with substantially lower costs than alternatives on the market," said Tim Bridgewater, CEO of Zeo Energy. "Through this acquisition, we believe that Zeo will be able to accelerate our vision of serving energy consumers across the spectrum - from residential rooftops to larger-scale industrial solar and storage applications to build an energy platform at scale."

"We believe this combination offers a compelling opportunity for Heliogen stockholders through the opportunity to participate in the substantial growth potential of the combined company," added Christiana Obiaya, CEO of Heliogen. "We believe that Zeo's proven track record and network of customers can enhance the value creation opportunities for Heliogen's solutions and technical capabilities, while enhancing liquidity for stockholders. We're proud to be joining forces to scale practical, dispatchable clean energy solutions. This transaction is the result of the Heliogen Board's comprehensive review of strategic alternatives. Our Board is unanimous in its belief that this transaction is the optimal path forward and in the best interest of our stockholders."

Strategic Rationale

• Expanded Market Reach: The transaction unites Zeo's existing residential solar and storage footprint with Heliogen's long-duration energy storage expertise. Heliogen's commercial and utility-scale thermal storage solutions address mission-critical power quality and energy capacity issues faced by AI and cloud computing data centers, while concurrently aiding grid stability.
   
• Operational Synergies: The transaction is expected to streamline costs and reduce corporate overhead, while retaining core technical and commercial talent.
   
• Strengthened Balance Sheet: At close, Zeo anticipates benefiting from Heliogen's incremental liquidity, supporting investments for future growth in the solar and energy storage space. 
   
• Enhanced Financing Capabilities: Zeo's affiliated financing arm, which has provided over $44 million in clean energy tax equity financing to date, has the ability to be used for future Heliogen utility-scale and long-duration energy storage projects.
   
• Accelerated Growth Opportunities: The transaction seeks to position Zeo to capitalize on increasing demand for resilient, cost-effective, low-carbon energy infrastructure, supported by favorable long-term tailwinds and potential tax equity investments.

Transaction Details and Closing Timeline

Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, upon the closing of the transaction, Heliogen's securityholders will receive shares of Zeo's Class A common stock valued at approximately $10 million in the aggregate, based on a Zeo Class A common stock price of $1.5859 per share, and subject to an adjustment mechanism based on Heliogen's net cash at the closing.

The proposed transaction has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of both companies and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including approval by Heliogen's stockholders, as well as Heliogen having a specified minimum amount of net cash at the closing. Certain Heliogen stockholders holding approximately 23% of Heliogen's outstanding shares of common stock have entered into voting agreements, pursuant to which they have agreed, among other things, to vote all of such shares in favor of the proposed transaction. The proposed transaction will not require the approval of Zeo's stockholders under Nasdaq rules.

Advisors

Piper Sandler & Co. is acting as financial advisor and Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP is acting as legal counsel to Zeo.

Pickering Energy Partners is acting as financial advisor and Cooley LLP is acting as legal counsel to Heliogen.

Zeo Energy Corp. | www.zeoenergy.com

Heliogen | www.heliogen.com