The Solar Product Registry Set to Boost Solar Deployment

AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain autonomous systems, revealed Skyfall—a potential future mission concept for next-generation Mars Helicopters developed with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to help pave the way for human landing on Mars through autonomous aerial exploration. The concept is heavily focused on rapidly delivering an affordable, technically mature solution for expanded Mars exploration that would be ready for launch by 2028. 

Skyfall is designed to deploy six scout helicopters on Mars, where they would explore many of the sites selected by NASA and industry as top candidate landing sites for America’s first Martian astronauts. While exploring the region, each helicopter can operate independently, beaming high-resolution surface imaging and sub-surface radar data back to Earth for analysis, helping ensure crewed vehicles make safe landings at areas with maximum amounts of water, ice, and other resources. The data Skyfall collects could also advance the nation’s quest to discover whether Mars was ever habitable.

The concept would be the first to use the “Skyfall Maneuver”–an innovative entry, descent and landing technique whereby the six rotorcraft deploy from their entry capsule during its descent through the Martian atmosphere. By flying the helicopters down to the Mars surface under their own power, Skyfall would eliminate the necessity for a landing platform–traditionally one of the most expensive, complex and risky elements of any Mars mission.

This new Mars Helicopter concept leverages AV and JPL’s prior success as co-developers of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter program, which was executed on time and on budget and completed 72 historic flights at Mars’ Jezero Crater in just under three years–outperforming flight targets by more than 14 times and longevity targets by more than 32 times expectations. True to its name, Ingenuity showcased American innovation and space superiority by achieving the first powered flight on another world, introducing the speed and data collection capability that aerial operations bring to the Red Planet. 

“Skyfall offers a revolutionary new approach to Mars exploration that is faster and more affordable than anything that’s come before it,” said William Pomerantz, Head of Space Ventures at AV. “Thanks to a true partnership between industry and government, we’re expanding the unprecedented success of Ingenuity. With six helicopters, Skyfall offers a low-cost solution that multiplies the range we would cover, the data we would collect, and the scientific research we would conduct–making humanity’s first footprints on Mars meaningfully closer.”

Skyfall builds upon AV’s expertise in multi-domain autonomous systems and proven capabilities as part of the Ingenuity program, including its lightweight aircraft structure suitable for the thin atmosphere of Mars. As part of the public-private partnership, JPL plans to transfer some components of its Ingenuity work to AV for the new mission, commercializing many of the proven avionics, flight software, and modeling techniques that have worked on Mars.

“Ingenuity established the United States as the first and only country to achieve powered flight on another planet. Skyfall builds on that promise, providing detailed, actionable data from an aerial perspective that will not only be of use planning for future crewed missions, but can also benefit the planetary science community in their search for evidence that life once existed on Mars,” said Trace Stevenson, President of Autonomous Systems at AV. “From ground to air to sea and now to space, our fleet of uncrewed systems is unleashing American drone dominance across all domains and inspiring the next generation of American scientists, engineers, and explorers to ensure that dominance persists for generations to come."

Both Ingenuity and the Skyfall concept are part of the broader AV_Space portfolio, which spans ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), space technologies and payloads, and space operations. AV is a leader in long-haul laser communication, offering resilient space-based communication terminals that are faster, more secure, and consume less power than traditional systems. AV’s advanced surveillance, data collection, and rapid analysis capabilities enhance customer situational awareness across various domains and ensure our nation’s space superiority. With its BADGER and WASP ground-based phased array antennas, AV is modernizing and simplifying mission operations while rapidly expanding satellite command and control capabilities for complex SATCOM, telemetry, and electronic warfare missions. 

With NASA’s goal of launching inspiring missions to Mars during favorable launch windows as the planets align, AV has already begun internal investments and coordination with NASA JPL to facilitate a potential 2028 launch.

AeroVironment | www.avinc.com

Avangrid, Inc., a leading energy company and member of the Iberdrola Group, announced that it has placed its 80^th U.S. power generation project into operation, marking a major milestone for the company as it provides energy to homes and businesses in 23 states across the country. Over the past six months, Avangrid announced that it achieved commercial operation on three new solar projects in Texas, Ohio, and California, adding nearly 600 megawatts (MW) to the grid, enough energy to power over 100,000 homes. This achievement builds on Avangrid’s commitment to helping the nation meet its growing demand for energy while bolstering the U.S. economy.

“For over two decades, Avangrid has been delivering energy to homes and businesses across the nation, and today that portfolio has grown to 80 facilities spanning from coast to coast,” said Jose Antonio Miranda, Avangrid CEO. “Achieving this milestone comes at a critical time as we work to bring new energy capacity online to meet growing electricity demand from a variety of sources, particularly the construction of new data centers. In just the past six months, Avangrid has achieved commercial operation at three new projects, demonstrating our ability to meet the needs of our customers and bring needed capacity to increasingly strained electric grids. We will continue to collaborate with our partners as we work to secure American energy independence and support jobs and economic growth across the U.S.”

In March 2025, Avangrid announced that it achieved commercial operations at its True North Solar project in Falls County, Texas. This 321 MWdc project is supporting Meta’s operations, including its upcoming data center in Temple, TX. In June 2025, Avangrid announced commercial operations at Camino Solar, a 57 MWdc project in Kern County, California as well as commercial operations at Powell Creek Solar, a 202 MWdc project in Putnam County, Ohio.

Communities across the country realize tangible economic and social benefits thanks to Avangrid’s portfolio of projects. These 80 operating projects supported over 12,000 jobs (direct, indirect, and induced) last year. Additionally, the company’s power generation business contributed $112 million in taxes to state and local jurisdictions, paid $97 million in lease payments, and delivered $2.1 million in community support in 2024. Avangrid, including its power generation business and regulated utilities in the Northeast, has also grown its support of U.S. companies through its supply chain, investing $4.3 billion with U.S. companies last year.

In Oregon and Washington, for example, Avangrid has a large business office, its National Control Center, National Training Center, and approximately 3.0 GW of generating capacity, representing a key region for the company. Avangrid’s operations support approximately 500 jobs and paid nearly $30 million in taxes, combined across both states.

“For many years, Avangrid has been a valuable member of Oregon’s business community and has played an important role in providing Oregonians with reliable energy,” said Angela Wilhelms, president and CEO of Oregon Business and Industry.

“Avangrid has been a leader in the energy industry in the Northwest for many years, with a talented local workforce, innovative operations, and competitive solutions for power customers around the country,” said Spencer Gray, executive director of the Northwest & Intermountain Power Producers Coalition. “I congratulate Avangrid on reaching this milestone and continuing its track record of excellence as an independent power generator.”

With energy demand expected to surge over the next decade, largely due to the construction of new data centers, Avangrid’s ability to bring new energy projects is vital. The company already has approximately 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of capacity that supports data centers with an additional 650 MW under construction or will be under construction soon. Avangrid is actively working on new projects that will help meet expected energy demand growth in the coming years.

In March 2025, Avangrid announced its plan to invest $20 billion in U.S. electrical grid infrastructure through the end of the decade. The plan reflects the critical need to invest in energy infrastructure to meet growing demand, as well as the United States’ position as a top investment priority for Avangrid and Iberdrola.

Avangrid | avangrid.com

The used electric vehicle market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with pre-owned EV sales increasing by 65%, as more affordable options become available to mainstream consumers. A recent study by eCarsTrade, a car auction platform, took a deeper look at the resale market for electric vehicles to rank the best used EV cars to buy in 2025. The analysis compared cars based on price, performance, and user experience. It takes into account EV range, home charging time, and overall rating based on consumer reviews for driving, comfort, utility, interior, and technology. The final deal score is calculated based on key metrics, highlighting the EV vehicles with better value and performance on the resale market.

You can find the full research by following this link.

1. The best used EV car to buy in 2025 is the Kia Niro EV, with a deal score of 99 out of 100. The car stands out with affordable pricing of $12K during resale, maintaining high performance and favorable reviews. Kia Niro has a high rating of 8.2, as well as an EV range of 212 miles without additional charging.
2. The Tesla Model 3 earns 2nd place on the list of the best EV cars to buy on the resale market, with a score of 98. The vehicle has one of the longest EV ranges on the list, with 264 miles, but it also needs a longer charging time of 12 hours. The user reviews are highly favorable, with an overall rating of 8.4, a little higher than for the Kia Niro EV.
3. The Volkswagen ID.4 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 share third place, with both models scoring 95. The Volkswagen model is a bit more expensive, costing $23.5K on the resale market, but it has a longer EV range, with 266 miles, 58 more than for the Hyundai. The Ioniq 5 still stands out, with the shortest charging time of only 6.3 hours and better overall reviews.
4. The Chevrolet Bolt EV gets fourth position and a score of 90. One of the most affordable vehicles on the list, the Bolt EV can be bought for only $15K as a used car. The overall performance and reviews for it are also a bit higher than for the Volkswagen ID.4 and the Hyundai Ioniq 4, at an 8.2 rating.
5. The Renault Zoe and the Hyundai Kona Electric are fifth among the best used EV cars to buy in 2025, getting a score of 88. The Renault Zoe gets high in the ranking due to affordability ($7,830 on the resale market) and longer EV range of 245 miles. The second Hyundai on the list is cheaper than the Ioniq 5, averaging only $14.6K on resale, but it has a longer charging time of 9 hours.
6. The Mercedes-Benz EQC ranks sixth, scoring 77. The car keeps most of its original price, showing its reliability over the years. Buyers can afford it for $57.5K and it offers the longest EV range in the top 10, with almost 400 miles. The reviews for utility, technology, and comfort are also very favorable, creating the highest ranking on the list at 8.5.
7. In seventh place is the Nissan Leaf, with a score of 75. It is the most affordable car on the list, costing $3.5K during resale, but it stands out with long-lasting performance and fast charging at 7.5 hours.
8. The Ford Mustang Mach-E closes the ranking of the best used EV cars to buy in 2025, with eighth place and a score of 74. The second most-expensive car on the list, it costs around $28K and keeps high performance and an EV distance of 244 miles after years of use.

Filipp Sevostianov, the CEO of eCarsTrade commented on the study: “The used EV market is finally hitting its stride as the first wave of electric vehicles from major manufacturers reaches the three-to-five-year mark where depreciation makes them accessible to budget-conscious buyers. The battery technology has proven more durable than many predicted, with most EVs retaining 85-90% of their original range capacity, making them viable long-term options. The key shift happening now is that buyers are moving beyond just looking at sticker prices and starting to factor in the total cost of ownership, including charging infrastructure, maintenance savings, and how quickly these vehicles can integrate into their daily routines.”

eCarsTrade | https://ecarstrade.com/

Energy Vault Holdings Inc. (NYSE: NRGV) (“Energy Vault” or the “Company”), a leader in sustainable, grid-scale energy storage solutions, announced the successful close of $18 million in project financing for its Cross Trails battery energy storage system (BESS). The financing marks another milestone in the Company’s execution of its ‘Own & Operate’ growth and asset management strategy, originally outlined during the May 2024 Investor and Analyst Day. In addition, the company expects to receive another $12+ million in Investment Tax Credit-related funds later this quarter via a previously signed ITC sale agreement.

The 57 MW/114 MWh BESS was brought to commercial operation in June 2025, and is currently providing energy and ancillary services to meaningfully support renewable energy production and improve grid resiliency in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) region. Energy Vault notably achieved mechanical completion of the Cross Trails BESS ahead of schedule, successfully meeting all construction milestones through effective project management and close collaboration among engineering, procurement, and construction teams. The project is supported by a 10-year offtake agreement with Gridmatic, which marked the first physically settled revenue floor contract to be signed for a BESS in ERCOT.

The BESS leverages Energy Vault's fully integrated solution stack of hardware, software, and service offerings. Cross Trails also serves as the first deployment of Energy Vault's second-generation B-VAULT AC product, enabling Energy Vault to deliver the system quickly and at low cost while also providing higher levels of system availability in the ERCOT region. The system is equipped with Energy Vault’s VaultOS Energy Management System to control, manage and optimize the BESS operations.

"The successful financing of our Cross Trails BESS project represents another significant milestone in executing our 'Own & Operate' strategy, delivering strong returns that will generate predictable, high margin and recurring revenue streams," said Robert Piconi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Energy Vault. "Following our recent Calistoga Resiliency Center project financing and the acquisition of the 125 MW/1 GWh Stoney Creek BESS in Australia, this latest financing close demonstrates our ability to attract premium financing partners while building a diversified portfolio of attractive energy storage assets across the globe. With an attractive mid-teen levered IRR and a 10-year offtake agreement in place, the Cross Trails BESS is another example of our commitment to creating long-term shareholder value through strategic energy storage asset ownership and operation in key growth markets."

Today’s announcement marks the second close of project financing for Energy Vault projects, coming on the heels of the successful close of $28 million in financing for the Company’s Calistoga Resiliency Center project in California. The financing also follows Energy Vault’s announced acquisition of the 125 MW/1,000 MWh Stoney Creek BESS in the Australian market, being developed in alignment with the Company’s global ‘Own & Operate’ strategy. Together, the advancement of these projects follows through on initiatives first presented during Energy Vault's May 2024 Investor and Analyst Day, demonstrating the Company's ability to execute on its strategic vision while maximizing capital efficiency in its 'Own & Operate' strategy.

Energy Vault continues to pursue a robust pipeline of projects in development under the Company’s ‘Own & Operate’ strategy and long-term vision for generating predictable, recurring and high margin tolling revenue streams with the goal of delivering sustainable, long-term value to shareholders. This milestone reflects significant proactive interest from strategic partners and investors given attractive IRR economics, positioning Energy Vault for continued growth in the rapidly evolving energy storage asset infrastructure market.

Energy Vault | https://www.energyvault.com/

Sunrun (Nasdaq: RUN), the nation’s leading provider of clean energy as a subscription service, announced an innovative home energy plan in partnership with retail electric provider Tesla Electric (Nasdaq: TSLA). Created exclusively for Sunrun Flex customers in Texas, this new home energy plan is designed to maximize solar production, battery backup power for outages, and energy independence.

With the Tesla Electric + Sunrun Flex plan, Tesla Electric offers a low, fixed electricity rate and the most competitive sellback rates for excess solar energy sent back to the grid. Combined with abundant solar production from Sunrun Flex and seamless battery management, customers get maximum value, advanced outage protection, and greater peace of mind.

Texas residents face a crowded and confusing electricity market with over 100 retail electric providers and a wide range of complex rate structures, most of which aren’t optimized for home solar and storage. Tesla Electric + Sunrun Flex is a complete home energy solution that eliminates confusion and improves the customer experience through dedicated enrollment assistance and aligning precise battery settings and solar production with a tailored retail electricity offering.

“This partnership creates the most compelling and comprehensive home energy solution on the market for Texas consumers,” said Sunrun CEO Mary Powell. “We’ve put customers first by combining the resources, technology, and knowledge of two companies that know energy best. Pairing Tesla’s custom electric plan with Sunrun Flex results in a superior customer experience and unparalleled energy independence.”

Sunrun Flex systems include Tesla Powerwall batteries to provide households with advanced backup power during outages—an especially valuable feature in Texas where severe weather has recently created prolonged blackouts and grid instability. Powerwall also allows customers to participate in Tesla’s Virtual Power Plant to support the grid by sharing power to reduce strain and increase the supply of electricity.

Other key benefits of the Tesla Electric + Sunrun Flex plan include:

• Cost Predictability: Customers enjoy predictable, affordable monthly payments, with the ability to "flex" their energy usage as life changes.
• Managed Settings: Tesla will coordinate electric rates, battery settings, and solar crediting to ensure the most value creation for customers.
• Seamless Experience: Coordinated customer service between Sunrun and Tesla to ensure a seamless experience that integrates the electric plan and Flex system.
• Rollover Credits: When customers use less energy than their baseline, they earn rollover credits to apply against future months when they exceed their baseline.
• Performance Guarantee: Every Sunrun Flex subscription includes 24/7 system monitoring, free maintenance and repairs, along with solar performance and battery health guarantees.

“With Tesla Electric, we’re building energy plans that unlock the full value of home solar and storage—optimized rates, seamless backup, and participation in grid services through virtual power plants,” said Colby Hastings, Director of Residential Energy at Tesla. “This collaboration with Sunrun brings all of that together in one smart, simple offering for Texans.”

The Tesla Electric + Sunrun Flex plan is now available exclusively to Sunrun Flex customers across Texas, in areas with retail choices. To learn more about the plan and sign up, please visit sunrun.com/flex-texas. Tesla Electric is operated by Tesla Energy Ventures, LLC REP #10296, a subsidiary of Tesla, Inc.

Sunrun I www.sunrun.com

Agilitas Energy, a leading developer and operator of renewable energy and energy storage systems, announced the acquisition of a 12.5-megawatt (MW) solar project located in North Smithfield, Rhode Island, from a local developer. This acquisition marks another significant step in Agilitas Energy’s mission to add resilient and clean power solutions across the United States. The project is fully permitted, with construction slated to begin in 2025 and commercial operation expected by the end of 2026. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Once operational, Agilitas Energy’s solar project is projected to generate approximately 16,000megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean electricity annually, enough to power over 2,500 Rhode Island homes. The project will participate in Rhode Island’s Net Metering Credit (NMC) program, providing credits that offset 100% of supply, distribution, transmission and transition charges for each kilowatt-hour produced. Because development began before the state’s eligibility deadline, the project is grandfathered under Rhode Island’s original rules, making it eligible for the full 100% credit value. Projects developed after the cutoff face a 275-megawatt cap and receive reduced value credits, making this asset particularly attractive to off-takers. These credits will be sold to commercial, industrial, public or municipal customers within the Rhode Island Energy territory, offering them long-term energy savings and price stability.

In addition to net metering revenues, the solar project will generate New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) Class I Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), contributing to the region’s Renewable Portfolio Standards and providing an additional revenue stream for Agilitas Energy.

“In an era where tariffs and policy shifts are reshaping the clean energy landscape, acquiring this project underscores Agilitas Energy's commitment to navigating these challenges head-on and strengthening energy infrastructure in whatever way we can,” said Barrett Bilotta, CEO of Agilitas Energy. “By integrating this project into our portfolio, we not only reinforce our commitment to establishing resilient energy infrastructure but also contribute to local grid reliability and economic growth. This move exemplifies our ability to adapt and lead in a dynamic industry landscape.”

By acquiring this project, Agilitas Energy is not just expanding Rhode Island’s solar capacity; it’s accelerating the state’s journey toward its 100% renewable electricity goal by 2033. Leveraging its capabilities as a fully integrated Independent Power Producer (IPP) that owns and operates its investments, Agilitas Energy is able to streamline project timelines and reduce costs to ensure faster deployment of clean energy solutions. Agilitas Energy’s proven track record in rapidly bringing projects online, such as Rhode Island's first utility-scale battery storage facility in Pascoag, demonstrates its ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and deliver clean energy solutions efficiently.

Agilitas Energy | https://agilitasenergy.com/

Wallbox (NYSE: WBX), a global provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging and energy management solutions, announced the launch of its virtual power plants (VPPs) in California and New York, powered by a new partnership with Leap, a leading platform for building and scaling VPPs. The initiative is part of Wallbox Rewards, a newly launched smart charging program that enables Wallbox users to earn incentives by contributing to grid flexibility through their home EV chargers.

The VPPs will aggregate energy capacity from thousands of residential chargers and connect to local energy programs that support the grid using Leap’s platform. By intelligently coordinating when chargers draw power, the VPP functions as a flexible, dispatchable resource that helps utilities manage demand peaks, balance the variability of renewable generation, and improve overall grid stability.

Once enrolled, participating users will allow their chargers to shift charging to times when electricity is cleaner, more affordable, and in lower demand. In return, they gain access to in-app charging insights, feature upgrades, and potential eligibility for performance-based financial incentives through Wallbox Rewards.

The program went live this month in California and New York, with expansion into additional U.S. markets, including Texas, expected later in 2025.

“Launching our first virtual power plants in California and New York marks a major step in scaling the role of EV chargers as flexible grid assets,” said Esteve Dolsa, General Manager North America at Wallbox. “Through our partnership with Leap, we’re connecting Wallbox chargers to energy markets in real time, turning distributed infrastructure into a reliable grid resource. Wallbox Rewards creates a seamless user experience, rewarding them for helping to support grid stability from home.”

Participants will be notified via the Wallbox app when their chargers are contributing to grid events. The more consistently chargers participate, the greater the opportunities for users to access rewards and new grid services as the program evolves.

“Virtual power plants are a critical tool for building a more reliable, affordable, and dynamic grid,” said Christie Dodge, Head of Partner Success at Leap. “EV chargers are uniquely well-suited to serve as flexible grid resources. Through this partnership with Wallbox, we’re unlocking the potential of thousands of residential chargers to support grid stability while delivering value back to everyday drivers.”

The Wallbox Rewards program is part of Wallbox’s broader commitment to build smart energy solutions that go beyond EV charging, helping accelerate the shift toward a more distributed, responsive energy ecosystem.

Wallbox | www.wallbox.com

Leap | leap.energy