[optimistic music]

Logo:

This video opens with the J.P.Morgan logo in the upper left hand corner of a white screen.

Text on screen:

A title appears: 'Thriving: Conversations with founders.'

On screen:

Golden sunlight shines over a field of solar panels.

Jorge Vargas:

We are an independent power producer of solar energy in the U.S.

On screen:

Text appears as a man in a black blazer speaks from an office:

Text on screen:

'Jorge Vargas, CEO, Aspen Power.'

Jorge Vargas:

We serve residential customers, consumers, commercial industrial customers, and also community solar customers.

On screen:

The leaf-shaped Aspen Power logo appears alongside a solar farm, along with three bulleted facts:

Text on screen:

·        Provides end-to-end renewable energy solutions with the mission of accelerating decarbonization.

·        Founded in 2020.

·        Headquartered in New York.

Jorge Vargas:

Aspen was created out of our belief in climate change and to contribute to the decarbonization of the grid and also to provide clean, affordable energy to consumers that need it the most.

Text on screen:

A question appears over black: 'What is the mission of Aspen Power?'

Jorge Vargas:

From the get-go, we wanted to target underserved areas of solar. So we were one of the first independent power producers that built community solar just targeting low-to-moderate income households.

On screen:

A photo shows technicians in reflective vests installing panels. More panels cover a sprawling parking lot and top the buildings of a modern apartment complex. Another solar farm covers a grassy field.

Jorge Vargas:

And we were able to subscribe a hundred percent of our community solar farms targeting those households. We are big taxpayers in all the towns that we go and build our solar farms. We also engage not only to make sure that it’s built in accordance to the town regulations, but-- and we also create local jobs; we tend to favor local partners to help us with that.

On screen:

Local technicians smile for a photo and walk under the solar covers in a parking lot. Another photo shows three employees smiling in the Aspen Power office.

Jorge Vargas:

So there’s a tremendous amount of impact at the local level about the solar farms we create.

Text on screen:

Text appears over black: 'Scaling for growth.'

On screen:

A technician in a hard hat walks by panels on a solar farm.

Jorge Vargas:

We’re in an industry that currently is experiencing a lot of growth because of regulatory tailwinds. One of the challenges that we had early on, along with our cofounders was making sure that as we grew the business, we were all focused in the right priorities of the company. It’s very easy to get distracted, especially when you’re in an area with a lot of growth.

On screen:

A view circles over a solar farm among a forest and takes in the solar parking lot covers surrounding three office buildings.

Jorge Vargas:

But we also gotta remind ourselves that we’re in a business where a lot of power plants last between 35 to 40 years. So we gotta make sure that the decisions that we’re making right now do not affect those 35-year operations.

Text on screen:

More text appears over black: 'Access to capital.'

Jorge Vargas:

There’s operational challenges; also financial challenges. It’s how we design our capital structure to make sure that we stand the test of time.

On screen:

The view drifts over the gridded solar parking lot, then over more solar farms in the countryside.

Jorge Vargas:

That’s where a bank like J.P. Morgan has really helped us, because it allows us to really get the right cost of capital to build these power plants. So we’ve been very fortunate that we’ve completed a large M&A transaction and several large financing, including one with J.P. Morgan, that has enabled us to grow, so we can own and operate the solar power plants.

On screen:

Photos show Aspen Power employees smiling in an office and on a city rooftop. Two more employees study graphs and maps on computer monitors, and another photo shows Jorge smiling with a companion.

Jorge Vargas:

I am very optimistic about the future for power generation in the U.S., especially clean power. I think in the future, you’re going to see more awareness; consumers are going to want to know, “Hey, am I using clean power to operate that data center? Am I using clean power to power that AI search?" And I think that creates a lot of opportunity for us, because we want to serve those needs.

On screen:

A photo shows the whole company posing for a photo on a boat, then a logo appears over white:

Logo:

J.P.Morgan.

Text on screen:

jpmorgan.com/greeneconomy.

Side note:

Legal disclaimers:

Text on screen:

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The material contained in this video is intended as general market commentary and does not constitute legal, tax, investment, accounting, financial, business, real estate, or any other advice, and should not be relied upon as such. The views, opinions, estimates and strategies expressed in this video are those of JPMC, or other featured speakers, and may differ from those of Commercial Banking or other JPMC employees and affiliates. This video in no way constitutes an offer or commitment to provide a particular product or service. Products and services offered by JPMC and its affiliates are subject to applicable laws and regulations, as well as our service terms and policies. Not all products and services are available in all geographic areas or to all customers. Credit is subject to approval. Rates and programs are subject to change; certain restrictions apply.

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END

Harnessing the power of the sun is a cornerstone of renewable energy and decarbonization efforts. But making that technology accessible to underserved communities is what Aspen Power hopes will transform the future of global energy.

“From the get-go, we wanted to target underserved areas of solar. We were one of the first independent power producers that built community solar, targeting low- to moderate-income households.”

-Jorge Vargas, CEO of Aspen Power

Watch the video above, part of our “Thriving: Conversations with founders” series, to learn more about how Aspen Power is creating a future where all communities can benefit from clean energy.

Meet the Aspen Power founder

Name: Jorge Vargas

Title: CEO of Aspen Power

Experience: I've been working in solar energy for the last 16 years, but I started Aspen Power four years ago.

Why solar power? Aspen Power was created out of a desire to contribute to the decarbonization of the grid and provide clean, affordable energy to consumers who need it the most.

What are some challenges you’ve faced as a founder? One of the challenges that we had early on was making sure that as we grew the business, we didn’t lose focus on the company’s priorities. It’s very easy to get distracted when you’re facing a lot of growth.

How has J.P. Morgan helped in your success? J.P. Morgan has been a very important lender. They allow us to get the right cost of capital to build these power plants. Also, with the vantage point the firm has concerning the equity capital markets—how they operate, the debt markets, and translating that—I can just pick up the phone and get as much information as I need. 

We’re here to help 

We support the innovative efforts of founders like Jorge Vargas who are advancing decarbonization for all communities. Contact the Green Economy Banking team to learn how we can help your company achieve its goals. In the meantime, read recent thought leadership focused on the green economy space and founders who are making a difference.

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Visit jpmorgan.com/cb-disclaimer for disclosures and disclaimers related to this content. 

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