Q3 2026 NeoVolta Inc Earnings Call

May 15, 2026

Speaker #2: If anyone should require operator assistance during the conference, please press *0 on your telephone keypad. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to your host, Mr. Artis Johnson.

Speaker #2: Thank you. You may begin. Thank you, operator. And good morning, everyone. Welcome to NeoVolta's third quarter fiscal 2026 earnings call. I am Artis Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, and I'm joined today by our Chief Financial Officer, Steve Bond.

Ardes Johnson: Thank you, operator, and good morning, everyone. Welcome to NeoVolta's Q3 fiscal 2026 earnings call. I am Ardes Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, and I'm joined today by our Chief Financial Officer, Steve Bond. Before we begin, I would like to remind everyone that our remarks today will include forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from what we discuss today. For more information, please refer to the full safe harbor statement on slide 2 of our investor presentation, as well as the risk factors described in our Form 10-K for the year ended 30 June 2025, and our Form 10-Q for the quarter ending 31 March 2026, filed with the SEC.

Ardes Johnson: Thank you, operator, and good morning, everyone. Welcome to NeoVolta's Q3 Fiscal 2026 Earnings Call. I am Ardes Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, and I'm joined today by our Chief Financial Officer, Steve Bond. Before we begin, I would like to remind everyone that our remarks today will include forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from what we discuss today. For more information, please refer to the full safe harbor statement on slide two of our investor presentation, as well as the risk factors described in our Form 10-K for the year ended 30 June 2025, and our Form 10-Q for the quarter ending 31 March 2026, filed with the SEC.

Speaker #2: Before we begin, I would like to remind everyone that our remarks today will include forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from what we discuss today.

Speaker #2: For more information, please refer to the full Safe Harbor Statement on slide 2 of our investor presentation, as well as the risk factors described in our Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2025, and our Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 2026, filed with the SEC.

Speaker #2: We do not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. With that, let me turn to the quarter. On our last earnings call in February, we spent a significant amount of time walking investors through our strategy and vision.

Ardes Johnson: We do not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law. Let me turn to the quarter. On our last earnings call in February, we spent a significant amount of time walking investors through our strategy and vision. The transformation of NeoVolta from a residential-focused storage provider into a vertically integrated energy solutions platform spanning residential, C&I, and utility scale markets. We laid out the roadmap in detail. We explained why we believe this is the right moment to build this platform and why NeoVolta is uniquely positioned to capture the opportunity. This quarter, the story shifts from vision to execution, and I'm pleased to report that the progress has been real and meaningful across every dimension of our platform. Before I walk through that progress, I want to address an important leadership announcement we made this week alongside our earnings release.

Ardes Johnson: We do not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law. With that, let me turn to the quarter. On our last earnings call in February, we spent a significant amount of time walking investors through our strategy and vision. The transformation of NeoVolta from a residential-focused storage provider into a vertically integrated energy solutions platform spanning residential, C&I, and utility scale markets. We laid out the roadmap in detail. We explained why we believe this is the right moment to build this platform and why NeoVolta is uniquely positioned to capture the opportunity. This quarter, the story shifts from vision to execution, and I'm pleased to report that the progress has been real and meaningful across every dimension of our platform. Before I walk through that progress, I want to address an important leadership announcement we made this week alongside our earnings release.

Speaker #2: The transformation of NeoVolta from a residential-focused storage provider into a vertically integrated energy solutions platform spanning residential, CNI, and utility-scale markets. We laid out the roadmap in detail.

Speaker #2: We explained why we believe this is the right moment to build this platform, and why NeoVolta is uniquely positioned to capture the opportunity. This quarter, the story shifts from vision to execution.

Speaker #2: And I'm pleased to report that the progress has been real and meaningful across every dimension of our platform. Before I walk through that progress, I want to address an important leadership announcement we made this week alongside our earnings release.

Speaker #2: We have appointed Gene Nielys as NeoVolta's new Chief Financial Officer, effective May 18th. Gene brings more than 20 years of financial leadership experience, with deep expertise in the energy transition, technology, and manufacturing sectors.

Ardes Johnson: We have appointed Jing Nealis as NeoVolta's new Chief Financial Officer, effective May 18th. Jing brings more than 20 years of financial leadership experience with deep expertise in the energy transition, technology, and manufacturing sectors. Most recently, she served as a CFO of SES AI Corporation, where she led the company through a period of significant transformation and growth, raising substantial capital, expanding operations, and establishing multiple revenue-generating business units. Jing joins at exactly the right moment. We are ramping a domestic manufacturing platform, expanding commercial operations across multiple verticals, and pursuing one of the most significant growth opportunities in the US clean energy sector. Her experience navigating this kind of complexity is precisely what the phase of NeoVolta's growth requires. I want to take a moment to recognize Steve Bond. Steve has been a cornerstone of NeoVolta since the beginning.

Speaker #2: Most recently, she served as CFO of SES AI Corporation, where she led the company through a period of significant transformation and growth, raising substantial capital and expanding operations, and establishing multiple revenue-generating business units.

Speaker #2: Gene joins at exactly the right moment. We are ramping a domestic manufacturing platform, expanding commercial operations across multiple verticals, and pursuing one of the most significant growth opportunities in the U.S.

Speaker #2: clean energy sector. Her experience navigating this kind of complexity is precisely what the phase of NeoVolta's growth requires. I want to take a moment to recognize Steve Bond.

Speaker #2: Steve has been a cornerstone of NeoVolta since the beginning. As co-founder and CFO, he helped build the financial foundation that has made everything we are doing today possible.

Ardes Johnson: As co-founder and cfo, he helped build the financial foundation that has made everything we are doing today possible, and I'm grateful for his contributions. Steve is not going anywhere. He is stepping into a critical new role as Executive Vice President and President of NeoVolta Power LLC, where he will lead our Georgia manufacturing facility through the production ramp and into mass output. Getting that plant to commercial production on time is mission critical for NeoVolta, and there is no one I would rather have running it. Steve, thank you for everything, and I know the best is still ahead. Now let me turn to the key highlights from the quarter and our progress since. Let me start where I believe the focus belongs, the Georgia facility. Our manufacturing joint venture, NeoVolta Power LLC, is on track.

Speaker #2: And I'm grateful for his contributions. Steve is not going anywhere. He is stepping into a critical new role as Executive Vice President and President of NeoVolta Power LLC, where he will lead our Georgia manufacturing facility through the production ramp and into mass output.

Speaker #2: Getting that plant to commercial production on time is mission-critical for NeoVolta. And there is no one I would rather have running it. Steve, thank you for everything.

Speaker #2: And I know the best is still ahead. Now, let me turn to the key highlights from the quarter and our progress since. Let me start where I believe the focus belongs.

Speaker #2: The Georgia facility—our manufacturing joint venture, NeoVolta Power LLC—is on track. This is what the investment community has been watching closely, and I want to be direct about where we stand.

Ardes Johnson: This is what the investment community has been watching closely, and I want to be direct about where we stand. I am pleased to report that our manufacturing equipment has started to arrive on site at our Georgia facility. Installation is targeted for June, and we expect initial production to begin ramping in Q3 of this calendar year. I want to put this into perspective. We formed this joint venture in January of this year. In less than 6 months, we have secured a facility, finalized our production design, accepted equipment, and are weeks away from installing that equipment and commissioning our production line. That is a significant pace of execution. I also want to remind investors of something that is increasingly important in this market. NeoVolta Power is being structured to be fully FEOC compliant.

Speaker #2: I am pleased to report that our manufacturing equipment has started to arrive on site at our Georgia facility. Installation is targeted for June, and we expect initial production to begin ramping in Q3 of this calendar year.

Speaker #2: I want to put this into perspective. We formed this joint venture in January of this year. In less than six months, we have secured a facility, finalized our production design, accepted equipment, and are weeks away from installing that equipment and commissioning our production line.

Speaker #2: That is a significant pace of execution. I also want to remind investors of something that is increasingly important in this market. NeoVolta Power is being structured to be fully CEOC compliant.

Speaker #2: We are one of only a handful of best suppliers in the United States that can offer CEOC-compliant, domestically assembled systems that qualify for the IRS Section 45(x) Advanced Manufacturing Production Credits and Section 48(e) Investment Tax Credits.

Ardes Johnson: We are one of only a handful of BESS suppliers in the US that can offer FEOC compliant, domestically assembled systems that qualify for the IRS Section 45X advanced manufacturing production credits and Section 48E investment tax credits, including potential domestic content bonus treatment. As BESS demand continues to ramp and as procurement decisions increasingly turn on incentive qualification and supply chain compliance, this is a meaningful and durable competitive advantage. In April, we further strengthened that platform by increasing our ownership interest in NeoVolta Power from 60% to 80% at no new cash cost while retaining full board and operational control. At the same time, we expanded our commercial agreement with PotisEdge to support business development and customer engagement as we approach production. These are deliberate steps to deepen our economic stake and commercial reach as we near first output.

Speaker #2: Including potential domestic content bonus treatment, as best demand continues to ramp and as procurement decisions increasingly turn on incentive qualification and supply chain compliance, this is a meaningful and durable competitive advantage.

Speaker #2: In April, we further strengthened that platform by increasing our ownership interest in NeoVolta Power from 60% to 80%, at no new cash cost, while retaining full board and operational control.

Speaker #2: At the same time, we expanded our commercial agreement with Podus Edge to support business development and customer engagement as we approach production. These are deliberate steps to deepen our economic stake in commercial reach as we near first output.

Speaker #2: Turning to our CNI platform, this quarter marked a defining commercial milestone in March. We received our first purchase order from Luminia LLC. The initial order, valued at approximately $1.9 million for 40 units of our NV-Gain 125K261 commercial-industrial battery storage system, is the first concrete transaction under the Strategic Supply Collaboration Framework we announced in December of 2025.

Ardes Johnson: Turning to our C&I platform, this quarter marked a defining commercial milestone. In March, we received our first purchase order from Luminia LLC. The initial order, valued at approximately $1.9 million for 40 units of our NV Gain 125K-261 commercial industrial battery storage system, is the first concrete transaction under the strategic supply collaboration framework we announced in December 2025. Luminia is one of the most active C&I energy storage developers in the United States, with contracted demand for approximately 160 megawatt hours and an additional pipeline of approximately 640 megawatt hours. This initial purchase order is the first step in what we expect to be a sustained multi-year commercial relationship, representing approximately $39 million in potential equipment revenue under the broader collaboration framework.

Speaker #2: Luminia is one of the most active CNIs energy storage developers in the United States, with contracted demand for approximately 160 megawatt-hours and an additional pipeline of approximately 640 megawatt-hours.

Speaker #2: This initial purchase order is the first step in what we expect to be a sustained, multi-year commercial relationship representing approximately $39 million in potential equipment revenue under the broader collaboration framework.

Speaker #2: On the utility-scale front, we are in active discussions with prospective customers and partners as we build out our commercial pipeline in this market. We are encouraged by the early engagement we are seeing and believe our integrated platform and domestic manufacturing capabilities position us well to compete.

Ardes Johnson: On the utility scale front, we are in active discussions with prospective customers and partners as we build out our commercial pipeline in this market. We are encouraged by the early engagement we are seeing and believe our integrated platform and domestic manufacturing capabilities position us well to compete. We will provide updates as this business develops further. Residential remains our foundation. We continued to expand our national installer and distributor network during the quarter, with activity across Texas, Puerto Rico, and additional new markets. Demand in the quarter was affected by the expiration of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit for individuals at the end of December 2025, which created a near-term headwind across the residential solar and storage market. We believe this is a temporary dynamic. The underlying drivers of residential storage adoption, resiliency, energy independence, and cost savings remain firmly in place.

Speaker #2: We will provide updates as this business develops further. Residential remains our foundation. We continue to expand our national installer and distributor network during the quarter.

Speaker #2: With activity across Texas, Puerto Rico, and additional new markets. Demand in the quarter was affected by the expiration of the federal solar investment tax credit for individuals at the end of December 2025, which created a near-term headwind across the residential solar and storage market.

Speaker #2: We believe this is a temporary dynamic. The underlying drivers of residential storage adoption—resiliency, energy independence, and cost savings—remain firmly in place. We continue to prepare for the commercial launch of the NV Wave modular platform, which we expect to improve the persistent economics and installer throughput as it ramps into the market.

Ardes Johnson: We continue to prepare for the commercial launch of NV Wave modular platform, which we expect to improve the per system economics and installer throughput as it ramps into the market. In parallel, we are advancing a third-party ownership, or TPO, financing model for the residential market in collaboration with Luminia. This structure will enable homeowners to deploy NV Wave systems with little to no upfront cost, lowering barriers to adoption and generate recurring revenue streams for NeoVolta over time. We will share further updates on this initiative as it develops. Before I turn it over to Steve, I want to highlight an important external validation of the platform we are building. In April, NeoVolta was named the 2026 Energy Storage Company of the Year by CleanTech Breakthrough, selected from thousands of nominations across more than 16 countries.

Speaker #2: In parallel, we are advancing a third-party ownership, or TPO, financing model for the residential market in collaboration with Luminia. This structure will enable homeowners to deploy NV Wave systems with little to no upfront cost, lowering barriers to adoption and generating recurring revenue streams for NeoVolta over time.

Speaker #2: We will share further updates on this initiative as it develops. Before I turn it over to Steve, I want to highlight an important external validation of the platform we are building.

Speaker #2: In April, NeoVolta was named the 2026 Energy Storage Company of the Year by Cleantech Breakthrough, selected from thousands of nominations across more than 16 countries.

Speaker #2: This recognition reflects the progress we have made in building a differentiated product portfolio and expanding our market reach, and reinforces what we hear directly from our channel partners and customers.

Ardes Johnson: This recognition reflects the progress we have made in building a differentiated product portfolio and expanding our market reach and reinforces what we hear directly from our channel partners and customers. With that, I will turn the call over to Steve to review the financial results. Steve?

Speaker #2: With that, I will turn the call over to Steve to review the financial results. Steve? Thanks, Artis, and good morning, everyone. It's been an honor to help build NeoVolta from the ground up and serve as CFO through this transformational period.

Steve Bond: Thanks, Ardes, and good morning, everyone. It's been an honor to help build NeoVolta from the ground up and serve as CFO through this transformational period. I'm excited about what lies ahead in my new role leading NeoVolta Power, and I have full confidence in Jing and in this team. Now let me turn to the numbers. I'd like to flag at the outset that this is NeoVolta's Q1 reporting on a fully consolidated basis, which includes the financial results of NeoVolta Power LLC, our manufacturing joint venture, in which we held a 60% controlling interest during the quarter and subsequently increased to 80% in April. As a result, our income statement and balance sheet for the quarter ended 31 March 2026 reflect the consolidated operations of both the parent company and NeoVolta Power, with the minority interest reflected separately in stockholders' equity.

Speaker #2: I'm excited about what lies ahead in my new role leading NeoVolta Power, and I have full confidence in Jing and in this team. Now, let me turn to the numbers.

Speaker #2: I'd like to flag at the outset that this is NeoVolta's first quarter reporting on a fully consolidated basis, which includes the financial results of NeoVolta Power LLC.

Speaker #2: Our manufacturing joint venture, in which we held a 60% controlling interest during the quarter and subsequently increased to 80% in April. As a result, our income statement and balance sheet for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, reflect the consolidated operations of both the parent company and NeoVolta Power.

Speaker #2: With the minority interest reflected separately in stockholders' equity, investors should keep this context in mind when reviewing current results relative to prior periods, which did not include NeoVolta Power.

Steve Bond: Investors should keep this context in mind when reviewing current results relative to prior periods which did not include NeoVolta Power. Turning to the results. For the 3 months ended 31 March 2026, revenue was approximately $2 million, compared to approximately $2 million in the same period last year. Revenue in the quarter was impacted by the expiration of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit for individuals at the end of December 2025, which created a market-wide slowdown in residential solar and storage demand. While this was a near-term headwind, our 9-month revenue of $13.3 million was up approximately 262% year over year from $3.7 million and reflects the strong underlying growth trajectory of the business.

Speaker #2: Turning to the results for the three months ended March 31, 2026, revenue was approximately $2 million, compared to approximately $2 million in the same period last year.

Speaker #2: Revenue in the quarter was impacted by the expiration of the federal solar investment tax credit for individuals at the end of December 2025, which created a market-wide slowdown in residential solar and storage demand.

Speaker #2: While this was a near-term headwind, our nine-month revenue of $13.3 million was up approximately 262% year over year from $3.7 million and reflects the strong underlying growth trajectory of the business.

Speaker #2: Gross profit for the quarter was approximately $0.9 million, representing a gross margin of approximately 46%, compared to gross profit of approximately $500,000 and a gross margin of approximately 26% in Q3 of last year.

Steve Bond: Gross profit for the quarter was approximately $0.9 million, representing a gross margin of approximately 46% compared to gross profit of approximately $500,000 and gross margin of approximately 26% in Q3 of last year. The improvement reflects a higher margin product mix during the quarter. I want to note for transparency that the reported Q3 margin includes a correcting entry related to inventory cost recognition in the prior quarter. Excluding that adjustment, Q3 gross margin was approximately 36%. Total operating expenses for the quarter were approximately $3.6 million, compared to approximately $1.9 million in Q3 of last year. The increase reflects continued investment in commercial and operational infrastructure, R&D associated with the NV Wave platform ramp, and NeoVolta Power operating expenses as a manufacturing facility advances towards production. These are deliberate investments in our growth platform.

Speaker #2: The improvement reflects a higher-margin product mix during the quarter. I want to note for transparency that the reported Q3 margin includes a correcting entry related to inventory cost recognition in the prior quarter. Excluding that adjustment, Q3 gross margin was approximately 36%.

Speaker #2: Total operating expenses for the quarter were approximately $3.6 million, compared to approximately $1.9 million in Q3 of last year. The increase reflects continued investment in commercial and operational infrastructure, R&D associated with the NV Wave platform ramp, and NeoVolta Power operating expenses as the manufacturing facility advances towards production.

Speaker #2: These are deliberate investments in our growth platform. Net loss for the quarter was $3 million, or $0.08 per share, compared to a net loss of $1.4 million, or $0.04 per share, in Q3 of last year.

Steve Bond: Net loss for the quarter was $3 million or $0.08 a share, compared to a net loss of $1.4 million or $0.04 a share in Q3 of last year. Turning to the balance sheet. As of 31 March 2026, we had cash of approximately $11.5 million and net working capital of approximately $19.5 million. This represents a meaningful improvement from 31 December 2025, when we had cash of approximately $212,000 and working capital of approximately $3.4 million, reflecting the equity financing transactions completed during the quarter. On the joint venture funding, our phase 2 capital contribution of $8 million is targeted for 31 May.

Speaker #2: Turning to the balance sheet, as of March 31, 2026, we had cash of approximately $11.5 million and net working capital of approximately $19.5 million.

Speaker #2: This represents a meaningful improvement from December 31, 2025, when we had cash of approximately $212,000 and working capital of approximately $3.4 million, reflecting the equity financing transactions completed during the quarter.

Speaker #2: On the joint venture funding, our phase two capital contribution of $8 million is targeted for May 31. We are actively evaluating a range of funding options, including equity, debt, and project financing, to support this milestone and our ongoing growth capital requirements.

Steve Bond: We are actively evaluating a range of funding options, including equity, debt, and project financing, to support this milestone and our ongoing growth capital requirements. In April, we also established a revolving credit facility of up to $3 million with our depository bank, providing additional near-term liquidity flexibility. With approximately 11 and a half million dollars in cash and 19 and a half million dollars in net working capital as of 31 March, and with the multiple financing options under active evaluation, we believe we have the financial flexibility to fund our near-term obligations and support the business as we approach this major inflection point. With that, I will turn it back to Ardes for closing remarks before we open the line for questions.

Speaker #2: In April, we also established a revolving credit facility of up to $3 million with our depository bank, providing additional near-term liquidity flexibility. With approximately $11.5 million in cash and $19.5 million in net working capital as of March 31st, and with multiple financing options under active evaluation, we believe we have the financial flexibility to fund our near-term obligations and support the business as we approach this major inflection point.

Speaker #2: With that, I'll turn it back to Artis for closing remarks before we open the line for questions. Thank you, Steve. Let me close with a brief summary of where NeoVolta stands and why we are excited about the second half of 2026.

Ardes Johnson: Thank you, Steve. Let me close with a brief summary of where NeoVolta stands and why we are excited about H2 2026. The transformation we described on our last call is translating into real, tangible progress. We received our first C&I purchase order from Luminia. We continue to have a robust pipeline for utility scale. We increased our ownership in NeoVolta Power to 80%. We were recognized as the 2026 Energy Storage Company of the Year, and our Georgia manufacturing facility is on track, with equipment starting to arrive on site, installation in June, and production ramp beginning in Q3 of this year. We are approaching an inflection point for this company.

Speaker #2: The transformation we described on our last call is translating into real, tangible progress. We received our first CNI purchase order from Luminia, we continue to have a robust pipeline for utility scale, we increased our ownership in NeoVolta Power to 80%, we were recognized as the 2026 Energy Storage Company of the Year, and our Georgia manufacturing facility is on track, with equipment starting to arrive on-site for installation in June and production ramp beginning in Q3 of this year.

Speaker #2: We are approaching an inflection point for this company. When that facility goes into production, NeoVolta transforms from a platform under construction into an operational, vertically integrated energy solutions provider, with domestic manufacturing capacity and the ability to compete at scale across all three of our market verticals.

Ardes Johnson: When that facility goes into production, NeoVolta transforms from a platform under construction into an operational, vertically integrated energy solutions provider with domestic manufacturing capacity and the ability to compete at scale across all 3 of our market verticals. I want to close on this point. We are one of only a handful of companies in the United States that will be able to offer FEOC compliant, domestically assembled BESS products qualified for IRA manufacturing and investment tax credits. That distinction is becoming a decisive factor in procurement decisions across every customer segment we serve. We built this platform with that reality in mind. I want to thank our employees, partners, and shareholders for their continued support. I want to again welcome Jing Nealis to the NeoVolta team. We are ready for this next chapter. Steve and I are happy to take your questions.

Speaker #2: And I want to close on this point. We are one of only a handful of companies in the United States that will be able to offer FIOC-compliant, domestically assembled, best products qualified for IRA manufacturing and investment tax credits.

Speaker #2: That distinction is becoming a decisive factor in procurement decisions across every customer segment we serve. We built this platform with that reality in mind.

Speaker #2: I want to thank our employees, partners, and shareholders for their continued support. And I want to again welcome Jing Nilis to the NeoVolta team.

Speaker #2: We are ready for this next chapter. Steve and I are happy to take your questions. Operator, please open the line for Q&A. Thank you.

Ardes Johnson: Operator, please open the line for Q&A.

Operator: Thank you. At this time, we'll be conducting a question and answer session. If you'd like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press star two if you'd like to remove your question from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star keys. One moment, please, while we poll for questions. Our first question comes from Steve Ferazani with Sidoti & Company. Your line is now live.

Speaker #2: At this time, we’ll be conducting a question-and-answer session. If you’d like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue.

Speaker #2: You may press star two if you'd like to remove your question from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star keys.

Speaker #2: One moment, please, while we poll for questions. Our first question comes from Steve Farzani with Sadoti and Company. Your line is now live.

Speaker #3: Afternoon, Artis. Steve, I know you’ve got a lot going on, so congratulations on reaching certain milestones. But Artis, Steve, I mean, I think the big question here is the push-out on the phase two capital contribution. You had $11.5 million on the books, in cash, at the end of March.

Steve Ferazani: Afternoon, Ardes, Steve. I know you got a lot going on, so congratulations on reaching certain milestones. Ardes, Steve, I mean, I think the big question here is the push out on the phase II capital contribution. You had $11 and a half million on the books in cash at the end of March. What's the challenges there in meeting that phase II capital contribution? Behind that, phase III is supposed to be a commissioning, which isn't that far off. What's your ability in hitting those? You're saying targeted 31 May. If you can just provide some general color, I think it's the big question.

Speaker #3: What are the challenges there in meeting that Phase Two capital contribution? And then behind that, Phase Three is supposed to be a commissioning, which isn't that far off.

Speaker #3: What's your ability in hitting those? And you're saying targeted May 31st. If you can just provide some general color, I think it's the big question.

Speaker #4: Yeah, Steve, thanks for the question. It's a great one. The way that I articulated it wasn't necessarily a push-out. We were working with our team and the joint venture, and we were coming to closure on some documents—that was actually what was a little bit pushed out.

Ardes Johnson: Yeah. Steve, thanks for the question. It's a great one. The way that articulated, it wasn't necessarily a push out. We were working with our team and the joint venture, we were coming to closure on some documents. That was actually what was a little bit pushed out, we got into a blackout period, we were working with them and said, Hey, guys, can we just move it from April to May? It makes it very, a lot simpler for us. Our goal right now, we have a lot of options that we're looking at, a lot of different ways of funding, not only the next tranche, but the getting all the complete funding through. We should have that in the coming days.

Speaker #4: And we got into a blackout period, and we were working with them and said, 'Hey, guys, can we just move it from April to May?'

Speaker #4: It makes it a lot simpler for us. Our goal right now, we have a lot of options that we're looking at, a lot of different ways of funding not only the next tranche, but getting all the complete funding through.

Speaker #4: And we should have that in the coming days. We're working with people on that, and we feel very confident that we're going to be able to reach that.

Ardes Johnson: We're working with people on that, and we feel very confident that we're gonna be able to reach that. It wasn't that we weren't able to raise the money. It was more of an agreement between us and our joint venture partner, PotisEdge and LONGi, because those dates, I don't wanna say they were arbitrary, but they were put in early into the negotiation process. When we got into this, we said, Hey, guys, this would be easier for us to push this out a month. They fully agreed with that. Not a problem.

Speaker #4: But it wasn't that we weren't able to raise the money. It was more of an agreement between us and our joint venture partner, Polysegion Longi, because those dates—I don't want to say they were arbitrary—but they were put in early into the negotiation process.

Speaker #4: And when we got into this, we said, 'Hey, guys, this would be easier for us to push this out a month.' They fully agreed with that.

Speaker #4: Not a problem.

Speaker #3: Got it. I think that's a really important point and very helpful. Thanks, Artis, for adding that color. In terms of the quarter, we knew it obviously was going to be impacted by the temporary slowdown in residential solar.

Steve Ferazani: Got it. I think that's a really important point and very helpful. Thanks, Ardes.

Steve Ferazani: adding that color. In terms of the quarter, we knew it obviously was gonna be impacted by the temporary slowdown in residential solar. One pleasant surprise.

Speaker #3: One pleasant surprise: I expected to see costs ramping up more out of the plant starting, getting ready for NV Wave. How are you thinking about costs ahead of those two big steps?

Steve Ferazani: I expected to see costs ramping up more out of the plant starting, getting ready for NV Wave. How are you thinking about costs ahead of those 2 big steps?

Speaker #4: Yeah. Well, we're very conscientious on any cost right now in relation to getting revenue and cash in the door. So we've been very—we've had the ability to be very efficient when it comes to launching the NV Wave.

Ardes Johnson: Yeah. Well, we're very conscientious on any cost right now in relation to getting revenue and cash in the door.

Steve Ferazani: Yeah.

Ardes Johnson: We've been very, we've had the ability to be very efficient when it comes to launching the NV Wave, and not only the product now, but even the further step 2 and 3 of the products in the future associated with the NV Wave. Our goal right now is to get that product launched and product delivered to customers by the end of the current quarter that we're in right now.

Speaker #4: And not only the product now, but even the further step two and three of the products in the future associated with the NV Wave.

Speaker #4: Our goal right now is to get that product launched and product delivered to customers by the end of the current quarter that we're in right now.

Speaker #4: And we're working right now, again, as well with our partner, Luminia, on a third-party ownership model that we hopefully could be able to get out there at some point.

Steve Ferazani: Okay

Ardes Johnson: We're working right now again, as well with our partner Luminia on a third-party ownership model that we hopefully to be able to get out there at some point. We're looking at ways to help deploy that product, and we wanna do it in the most efficient way possible. Doing it that way will allow us to kinda have a better, easier predictor to timing of needing the product to be shipped. We're being very efficient on the front end on finalizing that development, but we're also being very efficient in how we spend money for raw materials as well.

Speaker #4: And we're looking at ways to help deploy that product, and we want to do it in the most efficient way possible. Doing it that way will allow us to kind of have a better, easier predictor to timing of needing the product to be shipped.

Speaker #4: So we're being very efficient on the front end, on finalizing that development. But we're also being very efficient in how we spend money for raw materials as well.

Steve Ferazani: Is it tough to be launching a product like this, which obviously is significantly transformational from your previous residential products in a tepid market, a temporarily tepid market?

Speaker #3: Launching a product like this, which obviously is significantly transformational from your previous residential products, in a tepid market—a temporarily tepid market?

Speaker #4: Yeah, I think, as I was speaking to before, I think the finance models that are out there—if you can get locked into that—I think it helps let you rise above the general market slowdown.

Ardes Johnson: Yeah. I think as I was speaking to before, I think the finance models that are out there. If you can get locked into that, I think it helps let you rise-

Steve Ferazani: Yeah

Ardes Johnson: above the general market slowdown. I think there's opportunity as well as just general demand in that. You know, the market has shifted with the loss of the individual investment tax credit for the homeowner. It's shifted into this third-party ownership model with the financing. Our goal is to lock into that, and we've had a very strong interaction with customers saying, Hey, if you can bring both those, we think we can accelerate our deployment, actually. We feel very good about that piece of it. There'll be some good news in the coming days, we think, on that piece. For us, I think the understanding that those two are definitely linked, we wanna make sure.

Speaker #4: And I think there's opportunity as well as just general demand in that. The market has shifted with the loss of the individual investment tax credit for the homeowner.

Speaker #4: It's shifted into this third-party ownership model with the financing. Our goal is to lock into that. And we've had a very strong interaction with customers saying, "Hey, if you can bring both of those, we think we can accelerate our deployment actually." So we feel very good about that piece of it.

Speaker #4: And there'll be some good news in the coming days, we think, on that piece. But for us, I think that understanding that those two, sure that we engage that way.

Steve Ferazani: Yep

Ardes Johnson: that we engage that way so we don't get caught in a catch-and-see in terms of the cash market, as they call it in our industry. The cash market is definitely slowing. I do believe in my heart that it will recover itself. It's gonna take a little bit more time on that side, but at the same time, we're not gonna wait around for that. We're actively engaged on that piece.

Speaker #4: So we don't get caught in a catch-and-see in terms of the cash market—as they call it in our industry—the cash market is definitely slowing.

Speaker #4: I do believe, in my heart, that it will recover itself. It's going to take a little bit more time on that side. But at the same time, we're not going to wait around for that.

Speaker #4: So we're actively engaged on that piece.

Speaker #3: Got it, that's helpful. I think I have one more in. In terms of some color around the customer engagements you're currently having ahead of the plant launch in Georgia.

Steve Ferazani: Got it. That's helpful. I think I have one more in terms of some color around the customer engagements you're currently having, ahead of the plant launch in Georgia.

Ardes Johnson: We're having, you know, historically speaking, there was opportunities with our partner, PotisEdge, in the United States prior to the transformation to NeoVolta Power LLC. We've been engaging with those clients, working with our team members from PotisEdge on that. We've obviously engaged with LONGi and what they're doing on their side of the equation. We've been having some very deep conversations when it comes to utility scale. We've had some natural opportunities come our way just from the announcement of the factory, so we're working with that. On the C&I side of the business, we've got some. The industry itself is clamoring for a US-made product, so we've had a lot of generation of opportunities.

Speaker #4: Yeah, yeah. So, historically speaking, there were opportunities with our partner, Polysegion, in the United States prior to the transformation to NeoVolta Power LLC.

Speaker #4: So, we've been engaging with those clients, working with our team members from Polysegion on that. We've obviously engaged with Longi and what they're doing on their side of the equation.

Speaker #4: So we've been having some very deep conversations when it comes to utility scale. We've had some natural opportunities come our way just from the announcements of the factory.

Speaker #4: So we're working with that. On the CNI side of the business, the industry itself is clamoring for a US-made product. So we've had a lot of generation of opportunities.

Speaker #4: But a bigger, even bigger piece of that equation is our partnership with Luminia. Luminia has a programmatic way to go to market, and they've got tons of opportunities.

Ardes Johnson: A bigger, even bigger piece of that equation is our partnership with Luminia. Luminia has got a programmatic way to go to market, and they've got tons of opportunities. We talked about it in the report that they've got several giga, megawatt hours of pipeline as well as backlog that they're getting in right now, and we're working with them to do that. Those opportunities also will be benefit from a third-party ownership model as well, which we are again engaged with Luminia on that. We feel very confident on the C&I piece and even more confident about the utility scale.

Speaker #4: We talked about it in the report that they've got several megawatt-hours of pipeline, as well as backlog that they're getting in right now.

Speaker #4: And we're working with them to do that. Those opportunities also will benefit from a third-party ownership model as well, which we are, again, engaged with Luminia on that.

Speaker #4: So we feel very confident on the CNI piece, and even more confident about the utility scale. We've got opportunities right now that we're looking at for reference projects.

Ardes Johnson: We've got opportunities right now that we're looking at for reference projects and, you know, we've got some internal numbers where we think we can hit this year, and we feel very confident that we'll move all that product that we've got in there.

Speaker #4: And we've got some internal numbers where we think we can hit this year. And we feel very confident that we'll move all that product that we've got in there.

Speaker #3: Excellent. Thanks so much, Artis.

Steve Ferazani: Excellent. Thanks so much, Ardes.

Speaker #4: Yep.

Ardes Johnson: Yep.

Speaker #3: Our next question comes from Sean Milligan with Needham & Company. Your line is now live.

Operator: Our next question comes from Sean Milligan with Needham & Company.

Speaker #5: Hey, Artis. Thanks for taking the questions. On the utility-scale side, you hit on the funding and the demand piece, but can you talk a little bit about some of the other things maybe you have to do between now and first order?

Sean Milligan: Hey, Ardes. Thanks for taking the questions. On the utility scale side, you hit on the funding and the demand piece, but can you talk a little bit about some of the other things maybe you have to do between now and first order, whether that's like getting some sign-off on the ability to get the tax credits there, UL certification.

Speaker #5: Whether that's getting some sign-off on the ability to get the tax credits there, UL certification, or just bankability of those products?

Sean Milligan: Like just bankability of those products?

Speaker #4: Yeah. So from a UL certification, where we need to have full confidence that any changes there on the plant and whatnot—and the product—the product is something that we're bringing over in and of itself.

Ardes Johnson: Yeah. From a UL certification, we're where we need to be. Have full confidence that any changes there on the plant and whatnot in the product. The product is something that we, you know, we're bringing over in and of itself. We're not changing too much of the design at this point, that we feel very confident in. From the other piece of it, you know, when you're doing utility scale, what you look for is a few partners that are gonna support you on some reference projects at the beginning. That's what we're working towards. We know over the next coming months that we're gonna have, continue to have, individual engineering reports. We're gonna have a lot of people in the factory looking at our QA/QC and that development.

Speaker #4: We're not changing too much of the design at this point, so that we feel very confident in. From the other piece of it, when you're doing utility scale, what you look for is a few partners that are going to support you on some reference projects at the beginning.

Speaker #4: That's what we're working towards. But we know, over the next coming months, that we're going to continue to have individual engineering reports. We're going to have a lot of people in the factory looking at our QA/QC and that development.

Speaker #4: And that's all on pace for us to kind of get towards the end of this year, to lock in those long-term supply agreements going into next year.

Ardes Johnson: That's all on pace for us to kind of get towards the end of this year to lock in those long-term supply agreements going into next year. What we're doing is we're working with the big developers, the ones who have, you know, multi-gigawatt off-take requirements, and we're working with them on what we need to do to satisfy them, not only financially, but from a bankability perspective and a QA/QC. It's all part of the system, and I don't want to say the game, but it is part of the process that has to happen.

Speaker #4: So what we're doing is we're working with the big developers and the ones who have multi-gigawatt off-take requirements. And we're working with them on what we need to do to satisfy them, not only financially, but from a bankability perspective and a QA/QC.

Speaker #4: It's all part of the system. And I don't want to say the game, but it is part of the process that has to happen.

Speaker #4: And we feel very confident right now that we've got not only that reference opportunity lined up—a few of those—but also, going into next year, what it looks like from a projection on a month-by-month and quarterly basis of supplying product to fulfill at the minimum the two gigawatt-hours that we have.

Ardes Johnson: We feel very confident right now that we've got not only that reference opportunity lined up, a few of those, but also going into next year, what it looks like from a projection on a month-by-month and quarterly basis of supplying product to fulfill at the minimum the 2 gigawatt hours that we have.

Speaker #5: Okay, that's great. And then on cell supply, can you just remind us what you're eyeing for cell supply, more specifically for next year? Do you have access to enough non-GX cells?

Sean Milligan: Okay, that's great. On cell supply, can you just remind us, like, what you're eyeing for cell supply more specifically for next year?

Ardes Johnson: Yeah

Sean Milligan: to enough non-FEOC cells? Are you looking in the US? Like, kinda what's your outlook there?

Speaker #5: Are you looking in the U.S.? Kind of what's your outlook there?

Speaker #4: Yeah. It's a combination, right? Obviously, we know going into next year there's going to be a need to change from the Chinese cell capacity.

Ardes Johnson: Yeah. It's a combination, right? Obviously, we know going into next year there's gonna be a need to change from the Chinese cell capacity. We're looking at non-Chinese options in places like Southeast Asia to support us that are FEOC compliant. We're starting to have, we have been having conversations with a few of the US suppliers, some that are just US supply of the product that we need, and some are doing some conversion processes over from EV to stationary storage to look at meeting certain requirements in the pipeline.

Speaker #4: But we're looking at non-Chinese options in places like Southeast Asia to support us that are fiat compliant. And we're starting to have—and we're not even starting, we have been having—conversations with a few of the US suppliers, some that are just US supply of the product that we need, and some who are doing some conversion processes over from EV to stationary storage.

Speaker #4: To look at certain meeting certain requirements in the pipeline. We look at it as everyone has started to look at as the new IRS guidelines came out this year, or the beginning guidelines, looking at a mix of FIAT and domestic content-capable product to meet not only the FIAT requirements, but the domestic content requirements.

Ardes Johnson: We look at it as, and as everyone is starting to look at as, the new IRS guidelines came out this year, or the beginning guidelines, looking at a mix of FEOC and domestic content capable product to meet not only the FEOC requirements, but the domestic content requirements.

Speaker #5: Great. Thank you.

Sean Milligan: Great. Thank you.

Speaker #4: You bet.

Ardes Johnson: You bet.

Speaker #3: We have reached the end of the question-and-answer session. I'd now like to turn the call back over to Artis Johnson for brief closing comments.

Operator: We have reached the end of the question and answer session. I'd now like to turn the call back over to Ardes Johnson for brief closing comments.

Speaker #4: Thank you. I would just like to say, at the end of the day, that we were very excited about where we're going. Again, I want to thank Steve for all that he's done for us and all that he will do for us.

Ardes Johnson: Thank you. I would just like to say at the end of the day that we're very excited about where we're going. I, again, wanna thank Steve for all that he's done for us and all that he will do for us. It's been very important for us at this point to transition ourselves into a company that we could only imagined a year and a half ago. At this time, I would just like to say, I'm excited about where we're at and where we're going, and looking forward to the coming quarters and what we're gonna be coming into next year. Thank you, everyone.

Speaker #4: It's been very important for us at this point to transition ourselves into a company that we could only have imagined a year and a half ago.

Speaker #4: And at this time, I would just like to say I'm excited about where we're at and where we're going, and looking forward to the coming quarters and what we're going to be coming into next year.

Speaker #4: Thank you, everyone.

Operator: This concludes today's conference. You may disconnect your lines at this time, and we thank you for your participation.