From: Mercom Capital Group

Power Factors, a provider of renewable asset management software, acquired Inaccess, a provider of integrated mission-critical software and hardware solutions for renewable energy projects, battery energy storage systems, hybrid plants, and virtual power plants. The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Power Factors plans to combine its asset performance management solutions with Inaccess’ SCADA, power plant and battery control, and market trading offerings to support the transition of the global renewable energy market. Through the acquisition, Power Factors expands its customer asset management portfolio to nearly 200 GW.

U.S.-based KORE Power, a manufacturer of lithium-ion battery cells, acquired a 4.22% stake in ZEVx, an EV start-up and a provider of EV conversion kits focusing on fleet electrification. The investment expands KORE Power’s presence in the e-mobility space. ZEVx manufactures electric powertrain solutions that allow fleet customers to convert existing light-medium duty fleet vehicles to EVs. Formerly known as Zero Electric Vehicles, the company is partnering with KORE Power to develop new vehicle battery efficiency and safety advances.

Syrcuit  Energy Solutions, a developer and installer of renewable energy systems, raised $6 million via private placement following the Securities & Exchange Commission Reg-D offering. The company plans to use the funding to develop strategic partnerships and secure land for future development projects and working capital purposes.

Nano One Materials, a clean technology developer in battery materials, and Rio Tinto, a mining group, have agreed to enter a strategic partnership providing iron and lithium products. Under the deal, Rio Tinto also made a strategic equity investment into Nano One for gross proceeds of $10 million. Upon closing, Nano One will issue a total of 4,643,148 common shares, approximately 4.9% of the current issued and outstanding Shares of Nano One, at C$2.7 (~$2.07) per in a non-brokered private placement. This investment will be used to expand the company’s technology and supply chain development, commercialization, Nano One’s acquisition of the Candiac facility in Quebec, its conversion to One-Pot lithium iron phosphate, and industrial-scale piloting of other Nano One CAM technologies and working capital purposes.

Connected Energy, a provider of second-life battery energy storage systems, has raised £15 million (~$15.7 million) in funding from Caterpillar Venture Capital, the Hinduja Group, Mercuria, OurCrowd, and Volvo Energy. Other existing investors, Engie New Ventures, Macquarie, and the Low Carbon Innovation Fund, also participated in the round. The funds help the company scale its operations and move into utility-scale project development. This next funding phase enables Connected Energy to expand its technologies and operations globally and increase its availability of second-life batteries on the international markets.

Mirova, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Manager and asset management company offering investment solutions, acquired SunFunder, a private debt management company that finances renewable energy projects in Africa and Asia. Mirova is expanding its investment platform in international markets through the acquisition. SunFunder offers financing solutions for Africa’s decentralized solar energy sector to achieve direct impact at the intersection of climate change and inequality. Upon completion, Mirova will own 100% of SunFunder, whose teams and expertise will strengthen its local investment and execution capabilities for its private asset strategies.

India-based solar cold storage solutions provider Ecozen announced that it had raised ₹540 million (~$6.93 million) as part of a planned ₹2 billion (~$25.67 million) Series C funding round. The new funding round was led by Dare Ventures, the venture capital arm of Coromandel International, with participation from existing investors Caspian and Hivos-Triodos Fonds (managed by Triodos Investment Management) through equity. Northern Arc, UC Inclusive Credit, Maanaveeya, and Samunnati also participated with debt funding. Early investors in Ecozen include Sathguru Catalyser’s Innovation in Food and Agriculture Fund (IFA fund) and Omnivore.

Dow Jones announced that OPIS, a Dow Jones company, has signed an asset purchase agreement to acquire solar panel pricing, market reporting, and associated data assets from the Singapore Solar Exchange (SSX). The deal is expected to close in early July 2022. OPIS provides news, analytics, and price benchmarking for energy, carbon, commodities, chemicals, and other raw materials. With this acquisition, OPIS will expand its offering to the solar panel sector to provide current and forward-looking (PV) pricing data and market analysis.

1414 Degrees (14D), a manufacturer of energy storage systems, announced that it has entered into a Share Sale Agreement (SSA) for the sale of 50% of the shares in SiliconAurora to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vast Solar. In addition, 14D and Vast Solar have executed a Shareholders Agreement (SA) that will govern the ongoing operation of Silicon Aurora and the development of the Aurora Energy Project (Aurora). Under the terms of the SSA, the purchase price for the 50% shares in Silicon Aurora is $2.5 million in cash payable by Vast Solar in two installments. An initial $1 million is payable at completion, and a further $1.5 million following the receipt by Silicon Aurora of a written offer to connect to the transmission system from the relevant Network Service Provider under the rules of the National Electricity Market.

 Cox Energy America, a solar company, developing and operating solar PV projects in Central America and Caribbean countries, has signed a credit facility for €30 million (~$31.2 million) with Barclays Bank Ireland. Likewise, Cox Energy Solar and Cox Energy América entered an intercompany transaction in which Cox Energy Solar will provide a loan for the corresponding amount to Cox Energy América, which will be used to continue with its 2022 expansion and growth plans. This transaction was previously authorized by the Corporate Practices Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting.

FTC Solar, a provider of solar tracker systems, software, and engineering services, announced that it closed the acquisition of HX Tracker, a China-based supplier of 1P tracker systems. “This complementary acquisition accelerates our international expansion with a strengthened platform to accelerate growth in China, the Middle East, Africa, and other markets,” said Sean Hunkler, FTC Solar’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

For reports and trackers on funding and M&A transactions in solar, energy storage, smart grid, and efficiency sectors, click here.

Read last week’s funding roundup.