The Solar Product Registry Set to Boost Solar Deployment

The Department of the Interior released several directives relating to Executive Order 14315 (Ending Market Distorting Subsidies for Unreliable, Foreign-Controlled Energy Sources), which “identify and end preferential treatment” towards wind energy, consider the withdrawal of onshore and offshore areas for potential wind energy development, add guidance for enhanced stakeholder engagement, and review the impacts of wind turbines on wildlife, specifically migratory birds.

In response, Oceantic Network has released the following statement from Stephanie Francoeur, SVP of Communications & External Affairs: 

“The Department of Interior’s latest directives continue a false narrative on an established American industry that will prevent an important source of baseload power generation from reaching the grid when ratepayers are already feeling the effects of rising electricity costs. This will result in higher energy costs, increased blackouts, job loss, and billions of dollars in stranded investments, further delaying shovel-ready projects supported by a domestic heavy manufacturing supply chain renaissance that spans 40 states. Crippling affordable and reliable wind energy makes no economic sense and undermines the administration’s “all-of-the-above” energy strategy. We urge the Department to adopt policies which put all sources of American energy on an even playing field.”

Oceantic Network | https://oceantic.org/

Fermi America, in partnership with the Texas Tech University System, took a significant step announcing it has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with South Korea's Hyundai Engineering & Construction to plan and develop the nuclear component of what is designed to be the world's largest, first-of-its kind private grid to power next-generation AI.

Hyundai E&C boasts an impressive track record, having built 18 reactors in Korea as well as four reactors at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates. Two more reactors are currently under construction in Korea and two additional reactors are in the engineering phase in Bulgaria. The Barakah project stands as one of the most successful and timely international nuclear programs in recent history, delivering all four units safely, within budget, and ahead of global expectations.

The two companies signed the MOU in Seoul, South Korea, setting forth the material terms under which the parties will jointly design and execute the delivery of safe, clean new nuclear power within the world's largest private grid project offering combined-cycle natural gas, grid power, solar power, and battery energy storage including data center infrastructure to deliver up to 11 GW of power.

This MOU provides for the joint planning of a nuclear-based hybrid energy project, development of a detailed business package by project stage, feasibility studies, basic design (FEED) and EPC projects.

"We couldn't be more pleased to partner with the team at Hyundai E&C to power the future of AI," stated Fermi America co-founder Toby Neugebauer. "America doesn't have time to practice – we need to work with proven partners like Hyundai, who have a successful track record of planning and building safe, clean, new nuclear energy. Welcome to Texas!"

"We have been impressed by the executive team Fermi America has assembled, bringing together seasoned leaders in their respective fields," said Hyundai E&C CEO Hanwoo Lee. "We are especially pleased to see familiar faces in nuclear leadership from one of the most successful recent new build projects, and we look forward to working together to bring this ambitious vision to life."

On June 17th, Fermi America submitted its Combined Operating License Application (COLA) to build AP1000 nuclear units in the U.S. The application was accepted for review in record time. With Hyundai E&C on board, Fermi America plans to begin construction on the nuclear power complex next year and aims to have the first reactor operational by 2032.

Fermi America | https://fermiamerica.com/

Hyundai E&C | https://en.hdec.kr/intro_en.aspx

Texas Tech University System | https://www.texastech.edu/

NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing clean energy solutions, announced that it has acquired a 2.75-acre land and building package in Oak Brook, Illinois to serve as a regional demonstration and office facility to support the development of NANO Nuclear’s lead development project -- the KRONOS MMR Microreactor Energy System -- in collaboration with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) on its campus grounds. 

The $3.5 million purchase includes a 23,537‑square‑foot stand‑alone building facility, including a 7,400‑square‑foot non‑nuclear demonstration area. The facility will also initially house up to 60 nuclear engineers, researchers and support staff to engage in component construction and testing for the KRONOS MMR, a high technology readiness level (TRL), cutting edge, stationary, advanced micro modular reactor. It will also serve as a base of operations to collaborate with UIUC on the construction and regulatory licensing of the KRONOS MMR. 

This announcement comes on the heels of NANO Nuclear announcing the engagement of AECOM, the trusted global infrastructure leader, under a master services agreement to support site-specific engineering, environmental analysis and regulatory planning at UIUC. The agreement lays the groundwork for site-specific engineering in preparation for deploying the first MMR at UIUC, a globally recognized hub for nuclear research and innovation. Planned activities include detailed environmental reviews, regulatory pathway planning, and site drilling to obtain the geological data required for submitting a construction permit application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

Figure 1 - NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. Acquires 23,537 sq. ft. Facility on 2.75 acres of land in Oak Brook, Illinois to support the buildout of the KRONOS MMR Microreactor Energy System.

The Oak Brook Facility is NANO Nuclear’s third U.S facility and second U.S. site dedicated to physical test work, joining the Company’s facility in Westchester County, New York. 

“This new facility will be the hub for NANO Nuclear’s work on our lead microreactor project, the KRONOS MMR energy system. It will strengthen our collaboration with the University of Illinois and help us advance the KRONOS MMR towards construction, demonstration, regulatory licensing and ultimate deployment,” said Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear.“Establishing a local facility was essential to supporting the KRONOS MMR program. This expansion, alongside our active recruitment drive for nuclear engineers and researchers to join our efforts at this facility, reflects our growing presence in the advanced nuclear energy sector and broadens our reach across the northern United States and into Canada.”

In 2023, Illinois generated 54.89% of its electricity from nuclear power and accounted for 13% of the nation’s total nuclear output, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The state’s established infrastructure and supportive political and social environments make Illinois an ideal location for advancing next‑generation reactor technologies like NANO Nuclear’s KRONOS MMR. 

Figure 2 - NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. Newly Acquired 23,536 sq. ft. Demonstration and Office Facility in Oak Brook, Illinois.

NANO Nuclear has already begun site‑specific engineering work and contracting with key vendors to support the KRONOS MMR project. The new facility’s location near the U.S.-Canada border also positions NANO Nuclear to advance its existing plans to bring the KRONOS MMR to Canada and prepare for construction, testing, regulatory licensing and ultimately commercialization efforts across North America.

“We are very pleased to finalize the acquisition of this property in Oak Brook,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NANO Nuclear. “This facility will serve as our central hub for building the KRONOS MMR Energy System on the UIUC campus, an effort that would mark the first commercial microreactor developed at a U.S. university and position us as a leader in this sector. Illinois has a proud nuclear history, and UIUC is a major driver of innovation and testing in nuclear energy. We’re excited to establish our presence in Illinois as we continue to advance our goals and drive value for our shareholders.”

NANO Nuclear Energy I https://nanonuclearenergy.com/

ComEd joined Prologis, a global development company, in marking the launch of a rooftop community solar project in Franklin Park, the first of 45 installations that the global logistics firm is developing across Illinois over the next two years.

The Prologis portfolio is expected to generate 82 megawatts (MW) of solar energy, resulting in the largest rooftop community solar initiative in northern Illinois. More than half of the energy credits will be directed to income-qualified households, expanding access to clean energy in underserved communities in the Chicago area and beyond.

“We’re proud to join ComEd to officially launch this project, the first of many community solar projects that our energy team is deploying across our Illinois rooftops,” said Carter Andrus, Prologis’ Chief Operating Officer. “Illinois is one of the fastest-growing solar markets in the country, and we’re excited to help lead its momentum. For us, this is about more than solar panels—it’s about using our scale to make a real difference in the communities where we operate and bring the benefits of clean energy to more people across Illinois.”

SunVest Solar, a national developer and independent power producer, designed the Franklin Park 3 rooftop community solar installation atop a 195,000-square-foot Prologis logistics center. Prologis will own and operate the 1.56 MW community solar project, which will serve mostly residential customers, with the remaining community solar credits benefiting local businesses.

Prologis is constructing dozens of rooftop community solar projects in northern Illinois, including several in the Chicagoland region. There are currently about 200 active community solar projects interconnected to the ComEd system.

“As we continue to support the expansion of solar across northern Illinois, new and planned Prologis rooftop solar sites promise to provide northern Illinois customers additional options for lowering their energy costs via renewable energy connected to the grid,” said Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of ComEd. “With dozens of additional projects in the pipeline, we are seeing the effect of the pro-solar incentives put in place by Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration and how they support a cleaner, more equitable energy future in our state.”

“Illinois policymakers have worked hard on policy that encourages businesses like Prologis to grow and our energy sector to expand, especially in renewable energy,” said House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, 18th District. “It’s exciting to see the fruits of CEJA, one of the most expansive energy bills in the country come to fruition with vital initiatives like this one, reinforcing Illinois’ leadership in community solar.”

“I’m happy to stand with ComEd and Prologis as we celebrate the launch of this community solar project right here in Franklin Park,” said State Representative Norma Hernandez, 77th District. “By leveraging underutilized industrial rooftops, we’re not only expanding access to clean, renewable energy—we’re ensuring that working families in our communities can directly benefit from lower utility costs and a more resilient energy grid. This is a smart, community-centered model for how we decarbonize equitably and sustainably. Thank you for your leadership and bringing this to the 77th District.”

Prologis supports its customers and the communities where it operates by developing, building, and managing distributed energy solutions – including rooftop solar, energy storage, community solar and OnDemand Power, which provides resilient, backup and dispatchable energy – across the company’s global portfolio. With nearly 800 MWs of solar and storage already deployed, Prologis is on track to reach its goal of 1 gigawatt by end of 2025.

The 2016 Future Energy Jobs Act created Illinois’ community solar program, and the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) made it stronger. Since the passage of CEJA, there has been a 400% increase in connected community solar – 4x the capacity of Community Solar that was installed in 2024 vs. 2023. ComEd expects to have 240 community solar sites on its system by the end of 2025, producing 520MW and powering about 71,000 homes.

Community solar allows all ComEd customers to access the benefits of clean solar energy without installing solar panels of their own. Participants subscribe to a solar energy project owned by an independent developer and earn credits on their monthly ComEd bills for their portion of the energy produced by the project. Energy generated by the community solar project flows to ComEd’s grid and becomes part of the overall energy supply. ComEd customers can subscribe to a community solar project located anywhere in the ComEd region by visiting ComEd.com/Solar, provided it is not fully subscribed.

ComEd | www.comed.com

Prologis | https://www.prologis.com/

About two-thirds (68 percent) of homeowners would participate in a solar-plus-storage program where the technologies are installed at little to no cost, are used to help manage the grid and deliver a financial incentive when electricity is drawn from the battery system, according to a new survey from the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC), a nonprofit organization that studies Americans’ energy-related behaviors, interests and values.

The “Shining a Light on Solar + Storage: Consumer Interest and Expectations” survey – which reached a nationally representative sample of 1,168 American adults that live in single-family homes that they own – explored how homeowners view rooftop solar and battery storage systems, where they turn for information on these technologies, who they trust to install systems, what motivates their interest and more.

The survey revealed that homeowners have a wide range of reasons for installing rooftop solar or being interested in rooftop solar, with “to save money on electricity over time” (36 percent) leading the way. Using a renewable energy source (27 percent), improving their home’s resiliency (25 percent) and increasing the value of their homes (24 percent) were also key factors.

In addition, American homeowners strongly prefer their electricity providers’ involvement in installing rooftop solar, according to the survey data. Thirty-nine percent of respondents would like the panels to be installed by a company recommended by their provider, while 31 percent prefer that their provider installs the solar panel system. Only nine percent of those surveyed wanted a third-party installer, with the remaining 21 percent being unsure.

“Many American homeowners are interested in becoming ‘prosumers’ for a combination of financial, environmental and reliability reasons,” said SECC’s President & CEO Nathan Shannon. “Electricity providers are widely seen as trusted partners in installing these technologies and are well-positioned to assist consumers in their ‘prosumer’ journeys, which can ultimately be a win-win for consumers and electricity providers alike.”

An infographic highlighting key figures from the “Shining a Light on Solar + Storage: Consumer Interest and Expectations” survey can be viewed here, and a slide deck with the full survey findings is available exclusively for SECC’s membership. In addition, a 30-minute webinar on the key survey findings will be held on Tuesday, July 29 at 1 p.m. (ET) with SECC’s President & CEO Nathan Shannon and guest speakers from The Harris Poll and the NC Clean Energy Technology Center.

Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative | www.smartenergycc.org 

Avaada Group, a leading player in India’s renewable energy sector, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Bihar, for developing 1 GW of renewable energy projects across the state.

As per the signed MoU, Avaada will invest INR 5,000 crore for developing an aggregate 1 GW capacity of renewable energy projects encompassing ground mounted, floating solar, community solar plants, battery storage project etc. The state government would also facilitate the company in obtaining necessary approvals or clearances etc., from the concerned departments of the state. 

The MoU was signed between Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency, and Shri Kishor Nair, Chief Executive Officer, Avaada Energy Private Ltd in presence of Hon’ble Minister of Energy Shri Bijendra Prasad Yadav and Hon’ble Minister of Industries Shri Nitish Mishra on the occasion of the launch of New Policy on RE projects and PSP projects.

Commenting on the development, Shri Vineet Mittal, Chairman, Avaada Group, complemented Bihar Govt and Energy Department in bringing such a policy which is amongst the best RE Policy and will attract more investment in RE sector in the state.

“At Avaada, we are committed to accelerating India’s energy transition while contributing to regional growth and development. Our partnership with the Government of Bihar marks a significant step towards harnessing the state’s renewable energy potential through ground-mounted, floating, community solar plants, battery storage project etc. Beyond clean energy generation, this investment will create employment opportunities, attract allied industries, and foster sustainable socio-economic progress. We are proud to support Bihar’s vision for a greener, more prosperous future,” said Shri Kishor Nair, Chief Executive Officer, Avaada Energy.

These projects are expected to provide direct employment to 500 people, with production likely to commence within 2 years after the PPAs are executed with Bihar state agencies and facilitation of land/water bodies by the Government of Bihar. Besides, Avaada will also be entitled to get incentives as per the state government's applicable incentive rules and policy.

Avaada Group | https://avaada.com/

Helion, a Washington-based fusion energy company, announced that it has begun work on the site of its first fusion power plant, Orion, marking a major step in bringing fusion electricity to the grid. Located in Chelan County, Washington, the site was chosen for its ready access to transmission and legacy of energy innovation.

In 2023, Helion announced the world’s first power purchase agreement (PPA) that will provide energy from the plant to Microsoft by 2028, with Constellation Energy serving as power marketer. With site work now underway, Helion remains on track to meet that goal.

“Today is an important day – not just for Helion, but for the entire fusion industry – as we unleash a new era of energy independence and industrial renewal,” said David Kirtley, Helion’s co-founder and CEO. “Since we founded the company, we have been completely focused on preparing fusion technology for commercialization and getting electrons on the grid. Starting site work brings us one step closer to that vision.”

“Fusion represents an inspiring frontier in the world's pursuit of clean and abundant power,” said Melanie Nakagawa, CSO & CVP Energy, Connectivity, and Sustainability at Microsoft. “While the path to commercial fusion is still unfolding, we're proud to support Helion's pioneering work here in Washington state as part of our broader commitment to investing in sustainable energy.”

Helion began building in Malaga, Washington, on land it is leasing from the Chelan County Public Utilities District (PUD). This followed a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS) through Washington’s comprehensive environmental review process, SEPA. Since 2023, Helion has been actively engaging with local and state stakeholders – including government agencies, Tribal Nations and the general public – in preparation for a siting and permitting decision. Helion will continue to work through the remaining steps in the permitting process to construct and operate a commercial fusion power plant on the site.

Helion’s approach of rapid iteration and testing has enabled the company to make steady progress toward a commercial fusion machine. Its 7th-generation prototype, Polaris, is expected to demonstrate the first electricity produced from fusion. With its previous prototype, Trenta, Helion was the first private company to achieve a fuel temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius, which is generally considered the required operating temperature for a commercial fusion power plant.

Helion | https://www.helionenergy.com/