PENDERGRASS, Ga. — In a landmark development for the domestic clean energy supply chain, US-based battery storage manufacturer NeoVolta Power has locked in a massive, five-year supply agreement with Seoul-headquartered giant SK On. Under the terms of the newly minted partnership, SK On will supply NeoVolta Power with 9 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of high-performance lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells, set for delivery between 2027 and 2031.
The multi-billion-dollar trajectory of the energy transition relies heavily on securing reliable, localized material streams. This strategic pact not only guarantees a steady flow of essential components for NeoVolta’s burgeoning manufacturing hub in Pendergrass, Georgia, but also lays the groundwork for a potential future expansion that could double the collaborative output to a staggering 18 GWh over the life of the agreement.
Main Facts
The core of the announcement centers on a multi-year supply commitment designed to scale up NeoVolta Power’s recently launched domestic production capabilities.
- The Primary Agreement: SK On will provide NeoVolta Power with 9 GWh of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pouch cells spanning a four-year period from 2027 through 2031.
- The Location: All cells will be delivered directly to NeoVolta Power’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Pendergrass, Georgia, where they will be integrated into sophisticated battery energy storage systems (BESS).
- Target Markets: The resulting BESS units are engineered for commercial, industrial, and utility-scale energy storage deployments across the United States.
- Supplier Status: With this agreement, SK On solidifies its role as the primary cell supplier for NeoVolta Power’s expanding lineup of LFP pouch-cell storage solutions.
- The Expansion Option: Beyond the firm 9 GWh commitment, the partnership features a flexible framework for an additional 9 GWh. Under this secondary provision, NeoVolta would assemble battery packs from SK On-supplied cells, which SK On would subsequently buy back, pushing the total potential scope of the collaboration to 18 GWh.
Chronology: The Road to Pendergrass
The partnership between NeoVolta Power and SK On did not happen in a vacuum; it represents the latest milestone in a rapidly accelerating timeline of domestic manufacturing milestones and record-breaking energy storage deployment across the United States.
January 2026: Launch of the US Platform
NeoVolta officially launched its domestic battery manufacturing platform, planting its flag in Pendergrass, Georgia. At the time of the launch, company leadership outlined an ambitious roadmap: the facility’s initial production line was engineered with a baseline capacity of 2 GWh annually, with physical infrastructure designed to eventually scale up to 8 GWh as demand dictated.
Late Summer 2026: Record-Breaking Market Growth
The urgency for domestic battery storage manufacturing was underscored by broader market trends. Industry data from late August 2026 revealed that the United States had achieved a historic milestone, adding a record-shattering 20.2 GWh of battery storage capacity in just a single three-month period. This unprecedented surge in grid-scale and commercial deployments created immediate pressure on manufacturers to secure long-term, reliable supply chains immune to international trade volatility.
September 2026: The SK On Agreement
Capitalizing on the booming market, NeoVolta Power officially locked in its agreement with SK On. The first production line at the Pendergrass facility entered its critical commissioning and ramp-up phase, aligning precisely with the timeline needed to prepare for the incoming 2027 deliveries of SK On’s LFP cells.
2027–2031: Execution and Scale
Beginning in 2027, the first shipments of SK On’s 9 GWh allocation will begin arriving in Georgia. This influx is expected to fuel the commissioning of NeoVolta’s planned second production line—specifically tailored for pouch-format LFP cells—ultimately driving the Pendergrass plant toward its targeted annual production capacity of up to 8 GWh by 2028.
Supporting Data and Technical Context
To understand the weight of the NeoVolta-SK On agreement, one must examine the specific technical chemistry driving modern stationary storage, as well as the macroeconomic numbers defining the American clean tech boom.
Why LFP Chemistry Matters for Stationary Storage
Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) has rapidly become the chemistry of choice for stationary energy storage applications, distancing itself from traditional nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) chemistries typically favored in passenger electric vehicles.
- Thermal Stability: LFP cells offer superior inherent thermal stability, significantly lowering the risk of thermal runaway—a critical safety metric for large utility-scale installations.
- Cycle Life: Stationary storage systems cycle heavily, often charging and discharging multiple times a day. LFP chemistries boast exceptional cycle life, allowing them to endure thousands of cycles with minimal degradation.
- Material Independence: Crucially, LFP batteries do not require nickel or cobalt. This eliminates supply chain exposure to some of the world’s most volatile and ethically fraught commodity markets.
- The Weight Trade-off: While LFP cells possess lower energy density compared to their NMC counterparts—meaning they are heavier and take up more physical space—this drawback is virtually irrelevant in stationary and utility-scale installations where ground space and structural weight allowances are far more forgiving than in compact automotive spaces.
Production Metrics at a Glance
- Initial Firm Supply: 9 GWh (2027–2031)
- Contingent Expansion Supply: Additional 9 GWh (subject to future orders)
- Total Potential Collaboration: 18 GWh
- Pendergrass Facility Initial Line Capacity: 2 GWh annually
- Targeted Facility Peak Capacity: Up to 8 GWh annually (expected by 2028)
Official Responses and Executive Perspectives
Industry leaders from both organizations have emphasized the strategic significance of the alliance, framing it as a vital building block for the North American energy infrastructure.
"This collaboration represents an important milestone in NeoVolta’s expansion into large-scale energy storage and the continued buildout of our US manufacturing platform," said NeoVolta CEO Ardes Johnson.
Johnson highlighted the dual nature of the agreement, noting how it serves both ends of the supply equation for the company:
"The initial agreement secures long-term access to US-manufactured LFP cells for our Pendergrass production expansion, while the broader collaboration positions NeoVolta Power to manufacture energy storage packs for SK On. Together, these initiatives reinforce our strategy to build a domestic energy storage platform designed to meet growing demand for reliable, high-performance BESS solutions."
For SK On, a recognized global leader in battery technology with deep roots in advanced cell manufacturing, the partnership underscores its commitment to anchoring its supply footprint firmly within the United States, aligning seamlessly with federal incentives and the surging domestic demand for grid resiliency.
Implications for the Energy Storage Market
The partnership between NeoVolta Power and SK On carries profound implications for the broader American energy landscape, touching upon supply chain security, economic development, and grid reliability.
1. Fortifying the Domestic Supply Chain
For years, the United States renewable energy sector relied heavily on imported cells and fully assembled battery systems, exposing clean energy developers to geopolitical friction, tariff adjustments, and international shipping bottlenecks. By anchoring cell manufacturing and BESS assembly within Georgia, NeoVolta and SK On are creating a localized, vertically integrated ecosystem. This drastically reduces lead times for commercial and utility clients who cannot afford project delays in an era of soaring electricity demand.
2. Job Creation and Regional Economic Impact
The scaling of the Pendergrass facility from a modest 2 GWh initial footprint to a projected 8 GWh powerhouse by 2028 serves as a major economic boon for the state of Georgia. Advanced manufacturing facilities of this scale inject millions of dollars into the local economy, creating high-paying technical, engineering, and operational jobs that solidify the American Southeast’s reputation as the emerging "Battery Belt" of the United States.
3. Meeting the Unprecedented Demand for Grid Resiliency
With the US energy storage market expanding at an exponential rate—evidenced by the record 20.2 GWh added in just a single recent quarter—the grid faces unprecedented strain from data center proliferation, industrial electrification, and extreme weather events driven by climate change. Large-scale stationary storage acts as the ultimate shock absorber for the grid, smoothing out intermittent renewable generation from wind and solar farms.
By locking in 9 GWh (and potentially up to 18 GWh) of dependable LFP storage capacity through 2031, NeoVolta Power has positioned itself as a premier, reliable provider for utility providers racing to modernize their infrastructure. As the Pendergrass facility ramps up its second production line over the coming years, the collaboration between NeoVolta and SK On will stand as a benchmark for how public-private industrial momentum and private-sector partnerships can successfully tackle the monumental task of transitioning the world’s largest economy to clean, resilient power.
