In an exciting development for alternative energy company Plug Power Inc., the company announced that it has reached a significant milestone at its newly opened plant in Georgia. Plug Power, known for its hydrogen fuel-cell technology, successfully completed its first fill of a tanker with liquid green hydrogen produced at the facility.

After facing a delay in its operations, the Georgia plant recently began official production. The company revealed in a press release on Thursday that it had filled its trailer with hydrogen that will be utilized by retail giant Walmart Inc. This liquid hydrogen has the capacity to power over 3,200 forklifts every day, marking a notable step towards clean and sustainable energy solutions.

Following the news, shares of Plug Power surged by more than 12% during Thursday morning trading. This increase followed a 19% rise during Wednesday's regular session, which was spurred by an analyst upgrade. Despite the stock's challenging performance over the past year, having lost 75% of its value, it has shown some recent momentum and could record its highest closing level since November, provided the current gains are sustained through Thursday's session.

One analyst, Roth MKM's Craig Irwin, expressed optimism about Plug Power's prospects. Irwin's recent visit to the Georgia plant gave him confidence that the facility is operating smoothly and has addressed previous concerns about backlog and margin visibility. He also highlighted the company's favorable financial flexibility. However, not all analysts are equally enthused, as BMO Capital Markets analyst Ameet Thakkar downgraded Plug Power's stock to underperform last week. Thakkar speculated that the company may face challenges in obtaining funds from a Department of Energy loan facility, which could pose an arduous path for Plug Power.

As of Thursday's opening, Plug Power's stock was trading at $5, with the last closing above the $5 mark occurring on November 9, 2023, when it finished at $5.93.

Plug Power's recent achievement marks a significant step in the company's journey towards clean and sustainable energy solutions. With its hydrogen fuel-cell technology gaining momentum and the successful operation of its Georgia plant, Plug Power is making strides in the alternative energy industry.