Nautilus Solar drives community solar growth in the U.S. with 500 MW deployed and a clear focus on clean, accessible energy
The evolution and vision of Nautilus Solar for clean and accessible energy
In a world searching for concrete answers to the climate crisis and the need for energy independence, community solar is emerging as a key solution. It is not just a way to produce clean energy, but also an innovative model that democratizes access to solar power, putting energy in the hands of local citizens and businesses. We talked about it with Daniela Pangallo, Solar Projects Acquisition at Nautilus Solar.
When was Nautilus Solar founded, and with what goals? What is the company’s current focus today?
Nautilus Solar was founded in 2006 with the goal of developing and constructing distributed solar systems in the Northeastern U.S. Over the years, Nautilus emerged as a pioneer in community solar and has grown into a national market leader. The company has played a key role in shaping the future of the national electricity market by promoting equitable and affordable renewable energy access and enabling the rapid deployment of distributed generation to support economic growth and energy independence.
In 2019, Nautilus was acquired by Power Sustainable, a Canadian investment firm, marking a pivotal transition from a development-focused company to a fully integrated independent power producer (IPP). Since then, we’ve brought approximately 500 MW of community solar projects into operation. Community solar remains our core focus, and we continue to expand our footprint across the U.S. by partnering with mission-aligned developers and stakeholders. While community solar is central to our strategy, we are also exploring Solar + BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) and innovative revenue models within the distributed generation space.
As Senior Director of Partner Development, in your view, what qualities define an ideal partner for Nautilus Solar Energy today?
The ideal partner for Nautilus is a developer who:
- Is deeply engaged with the communities where their projects are located
- Has a long-term growth strategy and a clear pipeline
- Understands the complexities of interconnection and permitting
- Shares a transparent and collaborative approach to business
- Aligns with our values and company culture
- Is committed to growing together with us over time
- Brings strong development experience and a sizeable pipeline in key markets
We seek partners who are not only technically capable but also passionate about making a positive impact. We have a strong track record of successful collaborations, including with international partners.
How do you see the evolution of energy communities in the United States, and what role do partnerships play in scaling these models?
In the U.S., energy communities have evolved through three primary models: utility-owned, community-owned, and third-party-owned community solar. The third-party model—where private companies develop and operate projects—has proven to be the most scalable, particularly in states with enabling legislation such as New York, Maryland, Illinois, Maine, Colorado, Minnesota, and New Jersey.
Community solar, which closely mirrors the European concept of energy communities, has enabled the deployment of hundreds of megawatts of distributed generation capacity. Looking ahead, the integration of storage with solar will unlock even greater value for utilities and taxpayers by reducing electricity bills and avoiding costly interconnection upgrades.
Partnerships are essential to this success. Developers, IPPs, EPCs, equipment suppliers, permitting consultants, utilities, local governments, landowners, subscriber acquisition firms, and O&M providers all play a role in bringing these projects to life.
What are the main challenges in growing distributed solar projects across multiple regions, and how do you address them from a partner development perspective?
The main challenges in growing distributed solar projects across multiple regions include:
- Navigating complex and varied permitting processes
- Securing interconnection in congested grids
- Adapting to different state-level policies and regulatory frameworks
- Responding to changes in federal policies and tax incentives
From a partner development perspective, we address these challenges by collaborating with experienced local developers who understand the nuances of their markets. We also maintain a flexible, region-specific approach to project structuring and execution.
How does Nautilus Solar incorporate principles of inclusion and accessibility into its growth strategy?
Community solar inherently democratizes access to clean energy, allowing households—regardless of income level or homeownership status—to benefit from solar power. At Nautilus, we are deeply committed to the communities we serve. We prioritize local hiring, support diverse talent, and foster an inclusive workplace culture.
We’ve built a company where individuals from all backgrounds and seniority levels are empowered to grow and contribute meaningfully. Our team takes pride in advancing a cleaner future and supporting the nation’s economic growth.
In your opinion, what are the most significant trends that will shape the solar sector over the next 3–5 years?
Several key trends will shape the solar sector over the next 3–5 years:
- Global energy dynamics and commodity prices will influence investment and deployment.
- Interconnection constraints and the rise of storage and smart grid technologies will reshape project planning and operations.
- A shift from centralized to decentralized energy distribution—similar to the internet’s impact on communications—will continue.
- Intelligent automation (IA) will enhance solar operations through predictive maintenance, performance analytics, and automated permitting.
- Clean energy policies and decarbonization goals will drive innovation, especially in hybrid systems combining solar with storage, hydrogen, or other renewables
- Industry consolidation will continue.
- The systemic value of community solar and distributed generation will increase with the deployment of storage.
- Evolving state and federal policies will remain a critical factor.
