Sunrun scales the nation’s largest distributed power plant with 400% growth, 17 programs, major partnerships, and record grid dispatches as AI-driven electricity demand surgesSAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With rising electricity costs, growing risk of power outages, and a widening gap between power supply and demand, Sunrun (Nasdaq: RUN), America’s largest provider of home battery storage, solar, and home-to-grid power plants, rapidly delivered new, dispatchable energy to the grid at scal ...

Industry Overview - Companies in the Zacks Utility – Electric Power industry present an attractive investment case due to stable cash flows and predictable earnings supported by regulated business models [1] - Long-term power purchase agreements help shield many U.S. utilities from economic volatility, while growing electricity demand from AI-driven data centers, electric vehicle adoption, and reshoring manufacturing creates new growth opportunities [1] Company Analysis: Dominion Energy - Dominion Energy offers a strong long-term investment case due to its regulated model, stable cash flows, and reliable dividends, positioning it well for income-focused investors [3] - The company is investing $50 billion in capital expenditures from 2025 to 2029 to strengthen its operations, which is significantly higher than Vistra's $2.2 billion annual investment plan [12] - Dominion's earnings per share (EPS) estimates for 2025 and 2026 increased year over year by 22.74% and 5.93%, respectively, with long-term earnings growth pegged at 10.26% [8] - Dominion has a dividend yield of 4.51% and a lower debt-to-capital ratio of 57.71%, making it financially healthier compared to Vistra [9][15] Company Analysis: Vistra Corp. - Vistra Corp. is attractive due to a balanced mix of natural gas, nuclear, solar, and battery storage assets, providing strong cash flow visibility and disciplined capital allocation [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vistra's EPS in 2025 decreased by 26.29% but is projected to increase by 62.33% in 2026, with long-term earnings growth pegged at 11.67% [5][8] - Vistra's current dividend yield is 0.56%, significantly lower than Dominion's, and it has a higher debt-to-capital ratio of 75.11% [11][15] Valuation and Performance - Dominion is currently trading at a forward P/E of 16.39X, which is cheaper compared to Vistra's 19.42X and the industry's average of 14.65X [16][18] - Over the past six months, Dominion's shares have gained 4.8%, while Vistra's shares have declined by 11.9%, with the sector returning 7.6% [19] Conclusion - Overall, Dominion is in a better position compared to Vistra due to stable earnings growth, better dividend yield, elaborate capital expenditure plan, lower debt usage, and cheaper valuation [24] - Dominion currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), while Vistra carries a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating a stronger investment case for Dominion [25]

Core Thesis - T1 Energy Inc. is positioned as a unique opportunity in the solar energy sector, being the only vertically integrated solar manufacturer in the U.S., which aligns with the growing demand for energy driven by AI and the need for energy security [2][5] Company Overview - T1 Energy Inc. provides energy solutions for solar and batteries in the U.S. and Norway, and manufactures photovoltaic solar modules [2] - The company operates the G1 Dallas module facility with a capacity of 5 GW, capable of powering 15-20 hyperscale data centers [3] Market Position and Strategy - T1's vertical integration from polysilicon to modules allows for control over the supply chain, enabling the company to capture pricing premiums and accelerate growth [4] - The company has partnerships with Corning and Nextracker, and endorsements from utilities like Clearway Energy, which validate its technology and execution capabilities [4] Financial Performance and Projections - T1 Energy is already cash-flow positive, with 2025 production sold out at 2.6 GW, and targets an EBITDA of $650M–$700M with over 70% U.S. content by 2027 [4] - The G2 Austin cell facility, with a capacity of 5 GW and an investment of $850 million, is expected to start production in H2 2026, coinciding with favorable U.S. policy incentives [3] Investment Opportunity - T1 Energy's stock is trading at a fraction of competitors like First Solar, presenting an asymmetric risk/reward profile [5] - Near-term catalysts include financing decisions for the G2 Austin facility, monetization of 45X credits, and the launch of cell production [5] - The company is seen as a compelling investment in the context of AI's increasing energy demands and America's push for energy independence [5]