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Swift Current Energy Announces Energization of Landmark 800 MW Solar Facility in Illinois with American-Made Equipment

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Substantial Scale: Double Black Diamond Solar is the largest operating solar facility in Illinois and east of the Mississippi RiverStrong Local Customers: City of Chicago and seven other customers are now sourcing power through Constellation from Double Black Diamond Solar, advancing their energy goals with affordable, emissions-free powerDomestic Content and American Jobs: From module manufacturing to installation, thousands of American workers supported and benefitted from the project’s construction, underscoring the now robust domestic solar industryLocal Economic Impacts: Sangamon and Morgan Counties are set to receive ~$100 million in revenue over the life of the project

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Swift Current Energy (Swift Current) today announced that its landmark 800 MWdc (593 MWac) Double Black Diamond Solar project is now operating. The new solar facility, located 30 miles west of Springfield, IL, is the largest operating solar facility east of the Mississippi and provides a major source of new energy capacity in the state.

To celebrate the project’s completion, local leaders, project landowners, and customers joined Swift Current Energy today for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the project site. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Sangamon County Board Chair Andy Van Meter, Constellation Executive Vice President Kathleen L. Barrón, and Swift Current Energy CEO Eric Lammers, President Matt Birchby, and Chief Development Officer William Kelsey provided official remarks on the project.

Eric Lammers, CEO and Co-Founder of Swift Current, said, “Electricity demand in the U.S. is accelerating with new manufacturing load and tech needs. Our Double Black Diamond Solar facility is an example of how we are utilizing U.S.-manufacturers and American workers to provide the energy needed to charge our country’s growth now. We thank our customers in collaboration with Constellation for their commitment to this project. We especially thank Sangamon and Morgan Counties for welcoming us into their communities during development and construction. We will continue to honor our commitments as we operate Double Black Diamond.”

Neil Doherty, Executive Director, Infrastructure at IFM Investors, added, “We are delighted to sponsor the Double Black Diamond solar project and demonstrate the benefits that long term private capital can bring when partnering with a major American City like Chicago. We are proud to support this project which will deliver tangible economic benefits for the local community, and has supported manufacturing and construction jobs for American workers.”

The City of Chicago is one of the largest cities in the U.S. to source 100 percent of the power for its operations from renewable energy. About 70 percent of Chicago’s power that is used for its facilities – including O’Hare and Midway airports – is sourced from Swift Current’s Double Black Diamond Solar project. Additionally, Cook County, CVS Health, Loyola University Chicago, PPG, State Farm, and TransUnion are sourcing power from the project via Constellation NewEnergy, Inc.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said, “This project is a powerful example of why we believe in the green economy. Double Black Diamond Solar is union-made, clean energy that will make our city cleaner and more energy efficient. Projects like this are about our commitment to environmental justice, but they are also about good jobs and affordability for the working people of our city. We intend to build upon this critical milestone and continue to increase the adoption of clean energy in our city, improving the lives of our residents through new job opportunities in the green economy and reduced emissions. We are happy to partner with Swift Current Energy and Constellation to make progress toward a healthier, greener Chicago.”

Kathleen Barrón, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Constellation, said, “Double Black Diamond demonstrates what’s possible when we bring customers and clean energy solutions together. We were proud to work closely with the City of Chicago and other customers to help bring this new capacity to life. Efforts like this aren’t just about reducing emissions – they also drive local investment, support American manufacturing, and help communities realize the full value of clean energy while advancing their sustainability goals.”

Swift Current utilized the robust domestic solar manufacturing supply chain to source most of the components for Double Black Diamond Solar, adding to the national and regional benefits of the project. A majority of the project’s 1.6 million solar modules were manufactured by First Solar in Ohio, and the racking was supplied by U.S.-based Nextracker, with a portion of key components manufactured locally in Chicago using 100% US-made steel. During construction, Double Black Diamond Solar created approximately 500 jobs and reached commercial operation with more than 1 million safe person-hours. The project also successfully met the Illinois Clean and Equitable Jobs Act’s (CEJA) labor and diverse hiring standards for renewable energy development, helping bring employment opportunities to a wider range of Illinoisians. St. Louis-based McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. served as engineering, procurement, and construction provider for the project.

Swift Current Energy started the greenfield development of Double Black Diamond Solar in 2018. The facility began producing power in 2024 and today the facility is the largest solar project east of the Mississippi River, producing enough power for the equivalent of 100,000 homes annually. 

Over the life of the project, Double Black Diamond Solar is anticipated to provide substantial tax revenue to the local project counties, Sangamon and Morgan counties, in central Illinois. Additionally, Swift Current will provide $10 million in community benefits funds to the Sangamon Growth Alliance, Auburn School District, City of Chicago, and Cook County.

Andy Van Meter, Chair, Sangamon County Board, said, “The Double Black Diamond Solar project brings significant financial benefits to Sangamon County. It’s expected to generate $100 million in local tax revenue over its lifetime, with more than 60% directed to our public schools. The remaining revenue will strengthen essential services, including  public safety, infrastructure, and community programs that support the needs of families throughout our County. We are thankful to Swift Current Energy, whose efforts will deliver tangible benefits for our residents.”

Swift Current is the long-term owner and operator of the project and has previously announced that tax equity for the project was provided by Google, and construction financing for the project was provided by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Societe Generale, Truist, and eight other leading lenders.

About Swift Current Energy
Swift Current Energy is trailblazing a path for clean energy now. Founded in 2016, the company develops, owns and operates highly competitive, utility-scale wind, solar and energy storage projects across the United States. Swift Current Energy is majority-owned by funds managed by IFM Investors and Lookout Ridge Energy Partners. For more information, please visit swiftcurrentenergy.com

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SOURCE Swift Current Energy

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Vipboss Marks Earth Day with Renewed Commitment to Green Energy Solutions

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NEW YORK, April 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As Earth Day draws global attention to environmental responsibility, Vipboss, a specialist manufacturer and developer of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery packs for energy storage and mobility applications, is underscoring its long‑term commitment to sustainable energy practices through its Environmental Advocacy. This advocacy is devoid of ornate language; its inspiration stems from the brand’s unwavering conviction in LiFePO4 batteries as a green energy solution. To align this message with practical action, the brand is also running a themed sales campaign on its official website during April 18th to 30th. It highlights how practical product solutions, rather than abstract concepts, can support cleaner energy use in everyday life.

Across the world, energy consumption patterns are undergoing rapid change. Households, outdoor users, and light‑mobility sectors are increasingly seeking energy systems that are safe, sustainable, and low‑emission. Within this shift, LiFePO4 batteries have emerged as a preferred technology for clean‑energy applications. Their long service life, high safety profile, and absence of cobalt, which is an element associated with higher environmental and ethical risks, position them as a responsible choice in the global transition toward greener power.

LiFePO4 technology forms the foundation of Vipboss’s approach to sustainable energy. Its extended cycle life reduces the frequency of battery replacement, lowering resource consumption and easing the environmental burden associated with disposal. The material’s inherent stability also minimizes the risk of thermal runaway, offering a safer experience in homes, recreational vehicles, and public environments. In practical use cases such as home backup systems, RV travel, and golf‑course operations, LiFePO4 batteries deliver efficient storage and stable output, helping reduce reliance on fossil‑fuel‑based energy sources and supporting lower‑carbon lifestyles.

Vipboss’s environmental advocacy extends beyond the technical advantages of its products. The brand promotes responsible energy use as an integral part of sustainable living, emphasizing that product design and informed application must work together to achieve meaningful environmental outcomes. As a provider of energy solutions for home, travel, and leisure scenarios, Vipboss continues to participate in the long‑term process of green transformation through ongoing technological refinement and product evolution.

Earth Day serves as a reminder that lasting environmental impact is built through small, consistent actions. Looking ahead, Vipboss will continue advancing safer, more durable, and more efficient energy products that support individuals and families in adopting more sustainable energy habits. Through these efforts, the brand aims to contribute enduring value to the wider adoption of clean energy and the collective pursuit of a more sustainable future.

About Vipboss

Vipboss is a specialist in the lithium battery industry, focusing on the research, production, and manufacturing of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery packs. The company is committed to advancing battery technology with an emphasis on reliable performance, safety, and extended service life. Its mission is to deliver safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible energy solutions that contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

For more information, please visit: https://vipbosspower.com/.

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SOURCE Vipboss

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Pastor Dino Rizzo Marks 100 Days to Serve Day Ahead of Global Outreach Initiative

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Pastor Dino Rizzo highlighted the milestone of 100 days until Serve Day 2026, as thousands of churches prepare to serve their communities through coordinated acts of kindness on July 11.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., April 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pastor Dino Rizzo joined church leaders and teams on April 2 to mark 100 days until Serve Day 2026, a global outreach initiative set for July 11. The milestone brings together more than 2,900 churches preparing to serve their local communities through practical acts of kindness and outreach.

Serve Day, led by many churches within the Association of Related Churches, provides a coordinated opportunity for churches worldwide to engage their cities and demonstrate their faith through service. Pastor Dino Rizzo, who serves as Executive Director of ARC, emphasized the significance of the initiative as both a single-day event and a broader movement.

“Serve Day provides churches across the world with opportunities to serve their local communities and share the love of God through practical acts of kindness,” Rizzo said. “Our hope is that serving others becomes our focus throughout the year.”

The April 2 milestone reflects growing participation and anticipation among churches globally. Leaders are currently equipping teams, organizing projects, and connecting with local communities in preparation for July. Churches that join the initiative gain access to resources, including the Serve Day playbook, monthly leadership calls, and a private online community designed to support collaboration and planning.

Pastor Dino Rizzo has long championed the role of service within the church through the Servolution movement. Introduced through his 2009 book Servolution: Starting a Church Revolution Through Serving, the concept calls churches to embed serving into their culture rather than limit it to occasional events. The message has since influenced hundreds of churches across multiple countries, including the United States, Peru, New Zealand, and Poland.

“Serving is not just about an event. It is about building a culture where meeting needs and reaching people becomes part of who we are,” Rizzo has shared in previous teachings, reinforcing the long-term vision behind initiatives like Serve Day.

In addition to leading Serve Day, Pastor Dino Rizzo continues his work with ARC, which has planted over 1200 churches and continues to train and equip new church leaders. His involvement in conferences, leadership development, and global outreach initiatives reflects a consistent focus on sustainable church growth and community impact.

Churches interested in participating in Serve Day 2026 can learn more through ARC’s official website and access resources designed to support local outreach efforts.

About Pastor Dino Rizzo

Pastor Dino Rizzo is a pastor, author, and church leader known for his emphasis on service, leadership, and healthy church culture. He serves as Executive Director of the Association of Related Churches, an organization that has helped launch hundreds of churches worldwide. Rizzo is also the author of Servolution, a book that has inspired a global movement centered on serving others as a core expression of faith.

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WOMEN in the Spotlight! The 2026 Yiwugo Top Boss Ladies Awards Gala Held

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YIWU, China, April 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Yiwugo.com, the official website of the Yiwu Commodity Market, is the largest commodity wholesale market in the world. In the bright and warm days of April, with spring in full bloom, the grand ballroom on the third floor of the Yiwu Marriott Hotel was a vibrant gathering. Outstanding female entrepreneurs from various sections of the Yiwu Market gathered in their elegant attire to share the glorious moment of the 2026 Yiwugo Top Boss Ladies Awards Gala. The selection campaign, launched on March 8, attracted thousands of female entrepreneurs from the Yiwu Market. Voting was conducted across the Yiwugo app, official WeChat accounts, and the website. The evaluation criteria continued to cover multiple dimensions, including Business Excellence and Image Excellence, aiming to fully showcase the achievements of Yiwugo’s female entrepreneurs and their enterprises in areas such as digital transformation, overseas market expansion, and global supply chain integration.

Ultimately, the title of 2026 Yiwugo Top Boss Ladies was awarded to: Fu Jiangyan (Zhangweichao Socks Firm), Xu Xiaohui (Little Bee Towels), Peng Jirong (Dongyang Jirong Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd), Li Chuanzhi (Chengfa Tableware Firm), Wang Xiaohong (Yiwu Aishang Daily Necessities Factory), Bao Qiaoli (Bole Plush Pendant Toy), Li Hong (Yiwu Hanbang Daily Necessities Firm), Wu Yajun (Ziyi Stationery Firm), Wang Chunxing (Butterfly Fly Lace Firm), and Zheng Huili (Yiwu Lihong household products Co., Ltd).

In addition, twenty other entrepreneurs, including He Wenjuan (Zhihua Jewelry Box), Jin Chengfeng (Lanmo Textile Co., Ltd), Cui Yanping (Xin Tai Yang Shower Curtain And Towel Factory), and Zhang Huoqing (Happy Sisters Plush Toy), received the Top Boss Ladies Nomination award.

“Women hold up half the sky” – nowhere is this more evident than in the Yiwu Market. To showcase the entrepreneurial spirit and “she-power” of female business owners in the market, Yiwugo launched the Top Boss Ladies Awards in 2016. To date, this campaign has been held for 11 consecutive years, becoming one of the benchmark activities in the Yiwu Market.

Over the years, driven by this campaign, participating female entrepreneurs have become increasingly active, with nearly 700 Top Boss Ladies recognized. They have not only steadfastly managed their shops but have also leveraged their unique empathy and customer insight as female entrepreneurs to drive comprehensive brand upgrades, from product innovation to communication methods, breathing new life into traditional brands in the new era.

Amid the surging digital wave, artificial intelligence is reshaping industries at unprecedented speed and scale. This year’s Top Boss Ladies winners and nominees have bravely stepped into the spotlight, keeping pace with the times, actively embracing evolving business models and technological change. By replacing experience with data, using digital platforms to break geographical boundaries, and leveraging digital intelligence to break through development bottlenecks, they are driving a transition from OEM exports to global branding.

Fu Jiangyan of Zhangweichao Socks Firm is a typical example. Having shifted from initially waiting for customers to now skillfully using AI tools and mastering live streaming and short videos, she has used the platform as a lever to swiftly move her traditional foreign trade enterprise into a new stage of digital-intelligent trade, applying new technologies and business models to enhance enterprise development.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the Yiwu Development Experience. Over the past two decades, the Yiwu Market has completed its iterative upgrade from market stalls to a global digital trade center. Generations of business owners have transformed from street stall vendors into modern commercial entities, achieving a deep integration of personal growth with the market’s development. Yiwugo, always in sync with the rhythm of the Yiwu Market, will continue to focus on its female entrepreneurs, constantly uncovering their vivid and dynamic stories of striving, thoughtfully documenting the journeys of these resilient women who shine in their own quiet ways, and witnessing, supporting, and accompanying their growth and success.

As a local e-commerce platform rooted in and serving the market, Yiwugo will continue to gain deeper insights into user needs, strengthen its technological capabilities, explore cutting-edge applications, and accelerate product iteration. Amid a volatile external environment, it will connect market entrepreneurs with more global resources, helping them expand into broader international markets.

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SOURCE Yiwugo.com

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