Zeo Energy (NasdaqCM:ZEO) Conference March 25, 2026 01:30 PM ET Company ParticipantsCannon Holbrook - CFOTimothy Bridgewater - CEOTimothy BridgewaterCEO of Zeo Energy, a NASDAQ-listed company. We are in the residential solar business primarily. You can see it from our picture on our investor deck slide. We sell, install, and service residential solar systems, and I'll go into a little more detail about our business. This is the safe harbor forward-looking statements, and just to make sure that whatever we p ...

TESLA ENERGY: THE UNSUNG GIANT THAT’S BECOMING TESLA’S BIGGEST GROWTH ENGINEWhile the world talks about Cybertrucks and Robotaxis, Tesla Energy is quietly becoming one of the company’s most important — and fastest-growing — businesses.Here’s why Tesla Energy is mission-critical and increasingly dominant:•Massive revenue acceleration Energy storage deployments hit record highs quarter after quarter. In 2025 alone, Tesla deployed over 30 GWh of Powerwall + Megapack — more than double the previous year. Revenu ...

Core Insights - Tesla is at a critical inflection point, having achieved significant milestones in both automotive and energy sectors, with the Model Y being the best-selling vehicle worldwide in 2024 and energy deployment reaching 31 gigawatt hours, more than double that of 2023 [2][3] - The company emphasizes its commitment to sustainability, reporting that its products helped avoid nearly 32 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024, a 70% increase year over year [2][3] - Safety remains a top priority, with Tesla's vehicles achieving a crash rate that is ten times better than the average US driver, and improvements in autopilot technology expected to enhance safety further [3][4] Business Performance - The Model Y continues to dominate global sales, reinforcing Tesla's leadership in the automotive industry [2] - The energy business is expanding rapidly, with a deployment of 31 gigawatt hours in 2024, indicating strong growth potential [2] - Tesla's installed base serves as a foundation for future value creation through services like RoboTaxi and virtual power plants [2] Sustainability Efforts - Tesla's products have significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions, showcasing the company's commitment to environmental sustainability [2] - The company is focused on improving safety standards and reducing resource impact throughout the product lifecycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life [3][4] Shareholder Engagement - The annual shareholder meeting included discussions on various proposals, with the board encouraging shareholder participation and feedback [5][6] - Several shareholder proposals were presented, including those related to sustainability metrics in executive compensation and governance reforms [7][8][9] Future Outlook - Elon Musk highlighted the potential of the Optimus robot, suggesting it could revolutionize industries and significantly impact the global economy [20][21][22] - The company plans to ramp up production of the CyberCab, designed for autonomous operation, with ambitious production targets [27][29] - Tesla aims to enhance its AI capabilities with the development of specialized chips, which are expected to improve performance and efficiency [30][31]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Tesla's energy business deployed 31 gigawatt hours in 2024, more than double the amount achieved in 2023, indicating significant growth in this segment [3] - The global fleet of Tesla vehicles experienced one crash after driving over 6.8 million miles, showcasing a safety performance that is ten times better than the average U.S. driver [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Model Y was the best-selling vehicle worldwide in 2024, reflecting Tesla's strong position in the automotive market [3] - The energy business's deployment metrics highlight a substantial increase, emphasizing Tesla's commitment to expanding its energy solutions [3] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Tesla consumers avoided nearly 32 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024, a 70% increase year over year, demonstrating the company's impact on sustainability [4] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Tesla aims to maximize its installed base of production globally, which serves as a platform for future value creation through services like robotaxi and virtual power plants [4] - The company is focused on creating a sustainable and closed-loop economy, ensuring responsible sourcing and production practices [6][7] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management emphasized that Tesla is at an inflection point and is excited about the future, aiming to create more value than any other company in history [2] - The focus on safety and sustainability remains paramount, with ongoing improvements expected in autonomy technology [5][6] Other Important Information - The company is actively investing in both automotive and energy businesses to enhance its production capabilities and sustainability efforts [3][4] - Tesla's mission has evolved to focus on achieving sustainable abundance, aligning with advancements in AI and robotics [55] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the outlook for Tesla's investment in XAI? - The board received a proposal urging a strategic investment in XAI, emphasizing the importance of AI in Tesla's future [14][18] Question: How does Tesla plan to link executive compensation to sustainability metrics? - A proposal was presented to link a portion of executive compensation to measurable sustainability performance, which the board recommended against [20] Question: What is Tesla's stance on conducting audits of labor practices? - The board opposed a proposal requesting an audit of child labor practices in Tesla's supply chain, citing existing policies [22][26] Question: What measures are being taken to ensure shareholder rights? - Several proposals were made to amend bylaws regarding shareholder rights, with the board opposing most of them, arguing for existing governance structures [28][30][34] Question: How does Tesla plan to enhance its governance and accountability? - Proposals were made to declassify the board and adopt a simple majority voting standard, which the board recommended against [36][39]

Core Insights - The energy industry is undergoing a paradigm shift from coal and natural gas to solar and storage solutions, as identified by Base Power founder Zach Dell [1][5] - Base Power offers a unique business model where homeowners pay a low monthly fee for battery rental and power supply, making it more affordable than traditional utility bills [2][3] - The company has raised $1 billion in Series C funding to expand its operations and support the electric grid with distributed battery systems [3] Company Overview - Base Power is a Texas-based startup focused on reinventing the power company model by installing and operating home battery systems [3][5] - The company provides a battery backup system that homeowners do not have to purchase, addressing the high costs associated with traditional generators [4][5] - Base Power's batteries are designed to be more utilitarian and cost-effective compared to premium home battery products on the market [7][8] Business Model - Homeowners pay an installation fee and a $19 monthly rental fee, which is often lower than their previous utility bills [2] - The company utilizes its batteries to sell power back to the grid during peak demand, allowing for lower fees and shared profits with homeowners [1][3] - Base Power's approach allows for faster deployment of battery systems compared to traditional utility-scale projects, circumventing interconnection delays [6][12] Market Demand and Expansion - The company has installed batteries in approximately 5,000 homes and is experiencing high demand that exceeds current capacity [13] - Base Power plans to expand its operations beyond Texas to meet the growing electricity demand [12][13] - The use of distributed batteries as virtual power plants is gaining traction, with examples from California demonstrating their effectiveness in supporting the grid [10][11]

Summary of Zeo Energy Corp Conference Call Company Overview - **Company Name**: Zeo Energy Corp - **Ticker Symbol**: ZEO - **Industry**: Residential solar sales, installation, and maintenance - **Location**: New Port Richey, Florida - **Public Listing**: Went public via SPAC in March 2024 - **Recent Acquisitions**: Acquired assets from bankrupt Lumio and energy storage company Heliogen, Inc. [2][14] Core Business Insights - **Ownership Structure**: Founder-owned with insiders owning over 60% of the company [3] - **Sales Force**: Approximately 300 sales representatives focused on door-to-door sales [3][4] - **Profitability**: Profitable since 2019 with positive EBITDA; did not require capital raise during public offering [3][12] - **Market Position**: Historically outperformed the industry until 2023 due to high interest rates leading to bankruptcies among competitors [3][4] Market Dynamics - **Industry Challenges**: High interest rates and poor cash management have led to turmoil in the residential solar market, with notable bankruptcies [4][12] - **Market Recovery**: Anticipation of market recovery and growth in the coming years [4][13] - **Sales Strategy**: Seasonal sales approach with a focus on summer sales blitzes [4][5] Growth Strategy - **Acquisition Focus**: Expanding through acquisitions and diversifying into commercial energy storage [6][14] - **Energy Storage Demand**: Increasing demand for long-duration energy storage solutions, particularly for AI data centers and large manufacturers [6][15] - **Customer Base**: Targeting solid credit customers (740 FICO score) for long-term leases [6] Competitive Landscape - **Comparison with Competitors**: Compared to larger competitors like Sunrun and Sunova, Zeo has lower debt and a more stable financial position [11][12] - **Market Penetration**: U.S. residential solar penetration is low compared to countries like Germany (12%), Netherlands (24%), and Australia (38%) [10][11] Financial Outlook - **Revenue Seasonality**: Approximately 65% of revenues and profitability expected in the second half of the year due to seasonal business [12] - **Future Projections**: Potential to double the number of homes with solar installations in the U.S. from 5 million to 10 million [11] Technology and Innovation - **Energy Storage Technologies**: Focus on molten salt and compressed CO2 storage technologies for energy storage solutions [6][20] - **Cost Efficiency**: Levelized cost of energy for 24/7 solar with backup CO2 is below $0.10 per kilowatt-hour [27] - **Long-Term Viability**: Storage technologies are expected to outperform lithium-based solutions in long-duration applications [31] Strategic Partnerships - **Leasing Partnerships**: Collaborating with leasing companies to provide long-term leases and tax equity benefits [6][16] - **Market Expansion**: Exploring complementary services such as roofing and HVAC to enhance offerings [13] Conclusion - **Market Positioning**: Zeo Energy Corp is well-positioned for growth in the residential and commercial solar markets, with a strong focus on energy storage solutions and a solid financial foundation [13][15]

Industry Trend - Australia's largest power retailer anticipates increased adoption of home batteries connected to "virtual power plants" [1] - The industry views this shift as a means to control the expenses associated with the energy transition [1]

Financial Performance - Q2 2025 revenue reached €383 million, a 2% increase QoQ[8] - Q2 2025 gross margin was 378%[8] - Adjusted EBITDA loss for Q2 2025 was €75 million[8] - Q2 2025 cash costs decreased by 35% YoY[10] Sales and Product - Approximately 39000 AC units were sold in Q2 2025[10] - Approximately 140 DC units were sold globally in Q2 2025[10] - AC sales accounted for 69% of Q2 2025 revenue, DC sales for 11%, and Software, Services & Others for 20%[13] Geographical Revenue - Europe accounted for 68% of Q2 2025 revenue, with €261 million[11] - North America accounted for 30% of Q2 2025 revenue, with €114 million[11] - LATAM accounted for 1% of Q2 2025 revenue, with €550k[11] - APAC accounted for 1% of Q2 2025 revenue, with €260k[11]

Energy Solutions & Grid Support - Tesla Energy's Powerwall Virtual Power Plants are actively supporting the US grid [1] - The company conducted its first event of the year in New England to support the grid during a heat wave [1] - A test event is planned for California [1] - Tesla Energy is preparing to provide needed support in Puerto Rico [1]

Core Insights - Tesla Inc has celebrated the production of its one-millionth Powerwall, highlighting significant growth in its Energy segment, which may be undervalued compared to its electric vehicle business [1][2] - The Tesla Energy segment reported a revenue of $2.73 billion in Q1 2024, reflecting a 67% year-over-year increase, driven by rising Powerwall production and demand [4] - Energy production in 2024 reached 31.4 GWh, more than doubling from 14.72 GWh in 2023, indicating robust growth in Tesla's energy solutions [4] Production Milestones - Tesla introduced the Powerwall approximately 10 years ago, which has been instrumental in developing virtual power plants and enhancing energy independence for consumers [1] - The company achieved a milestone of producing 1,000 Powerwalls in a single day last year and is on track to produce 700,000 units annually [3] - The recent production of the one-millionth Powerwall coincides with the ramp-up of the newer Powerwall 3 version [2] Energy Storage Deployment - In the first quarter of 2024, energy storage deployment increased by 154% year-over-year, showcasing the growing demand for Tesla's energy products [5] - Quarterly energy storage deployment figures for 2024 and early 2025 are as follows: Q1 2024: 4.1 GWh, Q2 2024: 9.4 GWh, Q3 2024: 6.9 GWh, Q4 2024: 11.0 GWh, Q1 2025: 10.4 GWh [7] Market Performance - Tesla's Energy division is characterized by consistent growth and high margins, which may help mitigate weaknesses in the vehicle segment and serve as a catalyst for future growth [6] - Tesla's stock price was reported at $344.27, reflecting a 0.5% increase, although it has seen a 7.9% decline year-to-date in 2025 [6]