Exhibit
99.1
PowerBank
Executes Interconnection Agreement for 3.15 MW Nova Scotia Community Solar Project
Petpeswick
Community Solar Project Expected to Deliver Clean Energy Equivalent to Approximately 288 Homes Annually
Subscription-based
model lets renters, businesses, and homeowners access solar bill credits ($0.02/kWh savings) without rooftop installation
Advances
Alignment with Nova Scotia’s 80% Renewable Energy Target by 2030
Toronto,
Ontario, June 16, 2026 — PowerBank Corporation (NASDAQ: PBK) (Cboe CA: PBK) (FSE: 103) (“PowerBank” or the
“Company”), a leader in independent energy development and asset ownership in North America, today announced that
the project owner has executed the Standard Small Generator Interconnection and Operating Agreement (SSGIA) for the 3.15 MW DC Petpeswick
ground-mounted community solar project in Halifax, Nova Scotia (the “Project”). The Project has also secured municipal
permits and will now advance to environmental permitting. The Project is expected to power the equivalent of approximately 288 homes
annually and generate roughly $1.727 million in lifetime electricity savings for the local community.
A
Standard Small Generator Interconnection and Operating Agreement (SSGIA) is the formal contract that lets a smaller power project connect
to and operate on the electricity grid. It sets the technical and safety rules for the physical connection and spells out who pays for
any grid upgrades. For the Petpeswick project, signing it is a key milestone, confirming a clear, approved path to deliver solar power
to the Nova Scotia grid before construction can begin.
Given
the successful completion of the SSGIA and the receipt of necessary permits from the municipality, PowerBank will now be proceeding to
environmental permitting. PowerBank targets commencement of ground preparation in the Fall of 2026 for the Petpeswick project, subject
to final permitting and financing. Find details on PowerBank’s progress on three community solar projects in Nova Scotia here.
The
Project is owned by AI Renewable Flow-through Fund and PowerBank is the lead developer for the Project. PowerBank has partnered with
local Nova Scotia’s trusted engineering firm, Trimac Engineering, to deliver the Projects. PowerBank has been at the forefront
of community solar development in the United States with over 50 MW of community solar projects completed and is proud to be deploying
its expertise in Canada as the community solar market develops there.
Over
the lifetime of the Project, it is expected to generate approximately $1.727 Million in electricity savings for the local community in
Halifax, Nova Scotia. These savings come with additional benefits including local job creation, economic activity, and emissions reductions.
Community
Solar is a cornerstone of Nova Scotia’s bold commitment to achieve 80% renewable energy by 2030 and net-zero by 2035.
Unlike
traditional rooftop systems, community solar allows renters, businesses, and homeowners to subscribe to the solar farm and receive bill
credits and savings of $0.02/kWh—without installing any equipment. Project feeds directly into the local electricity grid and offers
a flexible, accessible way for Nova Scotians to participate in the clean energy transition. As one of only four community solar contracts
awarded under the program so far, the Petpeswick project contributes approximately 3.15 MW DC to the 100 MW AC of planned solar additions
that will help reduce fossil fuel reliance and drive local economic development.
The
Project leverages PowerBank’s proven execution capabilities and strategic partnerships. With over 100 MW of projects built and
a 1+ GW development pipeline, PowerBank brings institutional-grade development expertise to Atlantic Canada. The Project’s clear
timeline ensures near-term EPC revenue generation, and positions PowerBank to obtain additional development contracts in the high-growth
community solar market. All MW numbers presented as MW DC unless otherwise specified.
There
are several risks associated with the development of the Project. The development of any project is subject to receipt of a community
solar contract, receipt of required permits, the availability of third-party financing arrangements for the Company and the risks associated
with the construction of a solar power project. In addition, governments may revise, reduce or eliminate incentives and policy support
schemes for solar power, which could result in the Project no longer being economic. Please refer to “Forward-Looking Statements”
for additional discussion of the assumptions and risk factors associated with the Project and statements made in this press release.
About
PowerBank Corporation
PowerBank
Corporation is a vertically integrated and independent North American energy company helping to power the digital economy. The Company
develops, builds, owns, and operates solar and battery energy storage systems that deliver reliable, resilient, and behind-the-meter
power to the electricity grid, commercial and industrial clients, and municipal and residential off-takers. As AI and digital infrastructure
drive unprecedented electricity demand, PowerBank is uniquely positioned to deliver the speed, scale, and energy independence that the
next generation of power consumers requires, without waiting years for grid interconnection. The Company has a potential development
pipeline of over one gigawatt and has developed energy projects with a combined capacity of over 100 megawatts built. To learn more about
PowerBank, please visit www.powerbankcorp.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This
news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation
(collectively, “forward-looking statements”) that relate to the Company’s current expectations and views of future
events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or
future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as “will likely result”,
“are expected to”, “expects”, “will continue”, “is anticipated”, “anticipates”,
“believes”, “estimated”, “intends”, “plans”, “forecast”, ”projection”,
“strategy”, “objective” and “outlook”) are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements
and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from
those expressed in such forward-looking statements. In particular and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking
statements pertaining to the Company’s expectations regarding its industry trends and overall market growth; the Company’s
growth strategies the expected energy production from the solar power projects mentioned in this press release; the number of homes expected
to be powered; the timeline for construction; the expected savings for local residents; the receipt of permits and financing to be able
to construct the Project; the receipt of incentives for the Project; and the size of the Company’s development pipeline. No assurance
can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release
should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release.
Forward-looking
statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of the experience and perception of historical
trends, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate, and are subject to risks and
uncertainties. In making the forward looking statements included in this news release, the Company has made various material assumptions,
including but not limited to: obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals; that regulatory requirements will be maintained; general
business and economic conditions; the Company’s ability to successfully execute its plans and intentions; the availability of financing
on reasonable terms; the Company’s ability to attract and retain skilled staff; market competition; the products and services offered
by the Company’s competitors; that the Company’s current good relationships with its service providers and other third parties
will be maintained; and government subsidies and funding for renewable energy will continue as currently contemplated. Although the Company
believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect, and the Company cannot assure
that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, investors
should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
Whether
actual results, performance or achievements will conform to the Company’s expectations and predictions is subject to a number of
known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, including those listed under “Forward-Looking Statements”
and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recently completed Annual Information Form, and other public filings
of the Company, which include: the Company may be adversely affected by volatile solar power market and industry conditions; the execution
of the Company’s growth strategy depends upon the continued availability of third-party financing arrangements; the Company’s
future success depends partly on its ability to expand the pipeline of its energy business in several key markets; governments may revise,
reduce or eliminate incentives and policy support schemes for solar and battery storage power; general global economic conditions may
have an adverse impact on our operating performance and results of operations; the Company’s project development and construction
activities may not be successful; developing and operating solar Project exposes the Company to various risks; the Company faces a number
of risks involving Power Purchase Agreements (“PPAs”) and project-level financing arrangements; any changes to the laws,
regulations and policies that the Company is subject to may present technical, regulatory and economic barriers to the purchase and use
of solar power; the markets in which the Company competes are highly competitive and evolving quickly; an anti-circumvention investigation
could adversely affect the Company by potentially raising the prices of key supplies for the construction of solar power projects; foreign
exchange rate fluctuations; a change in the Company’s effective tax rate can have a significant adverse impact on its business;
seasonal variations in demand linked to construction cycles and weather conditions may influence the Company’s results of operations;
the Company may be unable to generate sufficient cash flows or have access to external financing; the Company may incur substantial additional
indebtedness in the future; the Company is subject to risks from supply chain issues; risks related to inflation and tariffs; unexpected
warranty expenses that may not be adequately covered by the Company’s insurance policies; if the Company is unable to attract and
retain key personnel, it may not be able to compete effectively in the renewable energy market; there are a limited number of purchasers
of utility-scale quantities of electricity; compliance with environmental laws and regulations can be expensive; corporate responsibility
may adversely impose additional costs; the future impact of any global pandemic on the Company is unknown at this time; the Company has
limited insurance coverage; the Company will be reliant on information technology systems and may be subject to damaging cyberattacks;
the Company may become subject to litigation; there is no guarantee on how the Company will use its available funds; the Company will
continue to sell securities for cash to fund operations, capital expansion, mergers and acquisitions that will dilute the current shareholders;
and future dilution as a result of financings.
The
Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the
Company to predict all of them, or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors,
may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements
contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
For
further information, please contact:
PowerBank
Corporation
Tracy
Zheng
Email:
ir@powerbankcorp.com
Phone:
289.439.4718
Source:
PowerBank Corporation