
Stardust Solar signs AI-powered renewable energy optimization deal
Stardust Solar intends to integrate and white-label MarkeDroid's AI optimization platform across its network of over 93 franchise territories in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean
the platform to generate optimal 24-hour energy plans for each asset. The system dynamically recalibrates in response to grid fluctuations or changes in energy storage
Stardust Solar Energy stock (TSXV:SUN) last traded at $0.14
Stardust Solar Energy (TSXV:SUN) has signed a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) with Estonia-based MarkeDroid OÜ, a provider of AI-driven virtual power plant services. The LOI outlines plans for Stardust Solar to become the exclusive North American distributor of MarkeDroid's advanced solar and battery optimization technology.
This strategic partnership was facilitated by ClimateDoor and the European Union's Lower Carbon Business Action (LCBA) program, which connects cutting-edge European clean technologies with Canadian market leaders. A leap toward smarter energy
Under the terms of the LOI, Stardust Solar intends to integrate and white-label MarkeDroid's AI optimization platform across its network of over 93 franchise territories in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean. The technology is designed to optimize energy usage by analyzing market prices, solar production, and consumption patterns to determine the most efficient buy-sell-store cycles.
MarkeDroid's platform also offers advanced battery arbitrage and grid flexibility services, which are expected to significantly reduce energy costs for both residential and commercial customers.
'This LOI marks a pivotal milestone in our growth strategy,' said Mike Cioffi, Founder and CEO of Stardust Solar. 'By integrating MarkeDroid's AI capabilities, we're not only enhancing the value we deliver to our customers but also reinforcing our commitment to innovation and sustainability.' Building on momentum
The agreement follows a series of major achievements for Stardust Solar, including: The acquisition of 49 U.S. territories through the purchase of Solar Grids Development LLC assets.
New franchise launches in high-growth markets such as Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, and Florida.
A project backlog exceeding C$2 million in signed contracts for solar and energy storage installations set to begin in spring 2025.
A strategic distribution agreement with Tesla for the Powerwall energy storage solution.
MarkeDroid's optimization engine is built on proprietary AI models developed in collaboration with STACC, a data science firm affiliated with the University of Tartu. The system uses a combination of: Location-specific weather forecasts
Historical consumption data
Real-time energy market prices
On-site parameters such as photovoltaic (PV) capacity and battery storage
These inputs allow the platform to generate optimal 24-hour energy plans for each asset. The system dynamically recalibrates in response to grid fluctuations or changes in energy storage, working to ensure maximum efficiency and reliability. Leadership insights
'We are excited to bring MarkeDroid's intelligent optimization technology to North America, further enhancing the value proposition of our solar and battery storage installations,' Mark Tadros, Stardust Solar's founder and CEO said in a news release. 'This partnership reflects our commitment to delivering solutions that not only drive down costs but also accelerate renewable energy adoption across our growing footprint.'
'Through our partnership with Stardust Solar, we will aim to make a tangible impact on North American renewable energy markets,' Toomas Teesaar of MarkeDroid added. 'Stardust Solar's extensive installer network and commitment to exceptional service are an ideal match for our vision of enabling more flexible and efficient clean energy ecosystems.'
The LOI sets the stage for a definitive commercial agreement, supported by EU-funded technical assistance. If finalized, the partnership could lead to future co-development opportunities and deeper collaboration between the two companies.
The transaction remains subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals and the execution of a definitive agreement. Both companies are independent entities, and no finder's fees are expected in connection with the LOI.
This partnership is expected to deliver not only financial benefits but also significant environmental impact by reducing reliance on grid electricity and lowering carbon emissions across North America. About Stardust Solar Energy
Stardust Solar Energy Inc. is a North American franchise provider in renewable energy installations, offering expertise in solar PV systems, energy storage solutions, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The company empowers entrepreneurs by providing a fully branded business platform, state-of-the-art equipment, and end-to-end support services spanning marketing, sales, engineering, and project management.
Stardust Solar Energy stock (TSXV:SUN) last traded at $0.14 and though it is up 7.41 per cent since the year began, it has lost 9.38 per cent since this time last year.
Join the discussion: Find out what everybody's saying about this stock on the Stardust Solar Energy Bullboard, and check out the rest of Stockhouse's stock forums and message boards.
The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please click here.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Canada News.Net
3 hours ago
- Canada News.Net
Birkenstock, Bugaboo, Coach thrive as rich Americans absorb hikes
LONDON, U.K.: For now, America's wealthier consumers appear unfazed by price increases on high-end products, from Birkenstock sandals to Bugaboo strollers, even as tariffs and economic uncertainty push brands to raise prices. German footwear brand Birkenstock has seen "tremendously strong" demand since introducing higher prices on July 1 to offset U.S. import tariffs, CEO Oliver Reichert told analysts this week. "We saw no pushback or cancellations," he said. The resilience mirrors trends across several premium brands. Bugaboo, the Dutch maker of strollers, high chairs, and playpens retailing for more than US$1,000, raised prices by $50 to $300 in May. "In general, we did not see any pushback," said Jeanelle Teves, Bugaboo's chief commercial officer for North America, noting retailers were "open and accepting" of the changes. Coach handbags have also remained popular, with parent company Tapestry reporting 4.6 million new North American customers this year, many from Gen Z and millennial demographics. CEO Joanne Kuvoiserat said the brand expects to maintain profit margins despite tariff pressures. Ralph Lauren likewise raised its annual revenue forecast as shoppers snapped up items like its $398 Polo Bear sweaters. However, CEO Patrice Louvet cautioned that price sensitivity in the second half remains a key unknown. Bank of America data supports the picture of steady luxury spending. The bank reported that middle—and upper-income cardholders spent more in July than a year earlier, even as spending by lower-income customers stayed flat. The bank noted that lower-income households account for only 15 percent of U.S. consumer spending, meaning overall demand could remain strong if higher-income spending holds up. However, some signs of caution are emerging. Procter & Gamble, maker of Tide detergent, noted that even wealthier consumers are becoming more selective in their purchases. Bugaboo manufactures in China and sells through retailers including Target, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale's, as well as smaller independent stores. Coach's popular Tabby shoulder bag sells for $350, while Ralph Lauren's luxury apparel continues to command high prices. As brands watch the second half of the year unfold, the big question remains whether affluent shoppers will keep absorbing price hikes or begin to pull back in the face of a "broader pricing environment," Louvet said.


Global News
3 hours ago
- Global News
She's Got Next: Founders rally in Vancouver behind historic firsts in women's sports
Rogers Arena was host to a first on Friday night: the WNBA's inaugural regular-season game in Vancouver. Before tip-off, inside a private pre-game gathering, She's Got Next founders Julie Smulders and Jill Tracy brought together a powerhouse group of athletes, executives and community leaders to underline a message – Canada is entering a new era for women's sports, and it's time to show up. Smulders, a UBC Thunderbirds alumna who played professional basketball overseas, said the idea for She's Got Next began last year after she and Tracy left a sold-out NCAA women's Final Four and compared it to the Canada West championships in B.C., which drew just 500 fans. 'We thought, 'We can do something in Canada. Let's elevate women's sports. Let's bring a community of women together,' Smulders said. The private event drew some of the most influential figures in Canadian and North American sport: Toronto Tempo president Teresa Resch and general manager Monica Wright Rogers, NBA Canada communications director Ashton Lawrence, PWHL Vancouver general manager Cara Morey and director of business operations Tania Richards, and five-time Olympian and Canadian Olympic Committee president Charmaine Crooks. Story continues below advertisement 5:57 WNBA players call for pay equity Tempo also used the evening to announce that when their inaugural WNBA season tips off next year, two of their regular-season games will be played in B.C., marking another historic milestone for Canadian women's basketball. Instead of hosting galas, She's Got Next has built its brand around what Smulders calls 'games over galas.' The group organizes dedicated fan sections at women's sporting events, including Section 107 at PWHL Vancouver home games. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy That means when members join the organization, they don't just attend events—they show up in the stands together. 'It's about modelling behaviour,' Tracy said. 'Men have done it for decades—grabbing friends and going to games. We're making that the norm for women's sports.' This season also marks the arrival of PWHL Vancouver, the province's first professional women's hockey franchise. The league has already drawn record-setting attendance in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, and now Vancouver fans have a team of their own. Story continues below advertisement 23:49 WNBA in Canada: Teresa Resch hopes Toronto Tempo will 'inspire an entire new generation' Smulders and Tracy said they were emotional seeing young girls in jerseys at PWHL games earlier this year. 'There were no dry eyes in our group when the women took the ice and heard the national anthem,' Tracy recalled. 'We hadn't seen that before.' The fight for visibility in women's sports has been ongoing for a long time. For decades, women were excluded outright: in the U.K., women's soccer was banned for 50 years. In North America, women were often dismissed as 'unable' or 'unfit' to play. 'That mindset doesn't disappear overnight,' Smulders said. In Canada, progress has accelerated in recent years. Christine Sinclair became the world's all-time leading international goal scorer, cementing women's soccer as a national passion. Marie-Philip Poulin's overtime heroics turned her into 'Captain Clutch,' rewriting hockey history. Story continues below advertisement And now, Canadian broadcasters are carrying more women's games—including, for the first time this year, all Indiana Fever WNBA games featuring star rookie Caitlin Clark. 'If you don't see it, you don't believe it's possible,' Smulders said. 'Now kids across Canada are seeing it.' 1:57 'To be brave, and to be bold': WNBA empowering next generation Smulders remembered her UBC days when the women's basketball team was fed Subway while the men's team got steak dinners. 'We were grateful just to get anything,' she said. Today's generation isn't settling. 'They want jerseys in their size. They want visibility. They want equality,' Tracy said. 'To them, women are just athletes. Period.' For Smulders and Tracy, the message to fans, institutions and media is clear: women's sports are not a novelty, they are the future. Story continues below advertisement Alongside fan sections and events, She's Got Next is launching scholarships for student-athletes, building career pipelines for women graduating from university sport, and continuing to host pre-game gatherings that unite athletes, executives, coaches, entrepreneurs and fans. The organization also has dedicated fan sections starting with Section 107 at every PWHL Vancouver game. The first WNBA game in Vancouver, the arrival of PWHL hockey in B.C., and the coming Northern Super League aren't just milestones; they're an invitation. The question now is whether Canadians will keep showing up, not just for history, but for what comes next. 'Come to games. Become members. Tell your friends,' Smulders urged. Tracy added: 'The bigger the community, the bigger our impact.'


Ottawa Citizen
3 hours ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Air Canada flight attendants to defy back-to-work order
While Air Canada had hoped to restart service after the federal government ordered an end to a labour dispute involving flight attendants, the union representing workers says its members will stay on the picket lines. Article content The strike of some 10,000 flight attendants that began early Saturday morning would continue, according to multiple media reports. Article content Article content The union representing the striking workers was set to address media in Calgary on Sunday morning. Article content Article content Flight attendants spent Saturday picketing at the Calgary International Airport, where travellers continued their efforts to salvage travel plans disrupted by the work stoppage. Article content Article content Air Canada, which locked out its flight attendants shortly after their strike began, had planned for flights to resume Sunday evening with a gradual ramp-up over the coming days, the Montreal-based airline said in a statement. Whenever service restarts, it will take several days before operations return to normal. Article content The Canada Industrial Relations Board has directed Air Canada to resume airline operations and for all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants to return to work by 2 p.m. ET, according to the airline's statement early Sunday. Article content