Clean Energy Transition

Fulton County, Ill. – September 24, 2026 -- Lightstar Renewables confirmed continued expansion of its Illinois development portfolio spanning community solar, agrivoltaic solar, and battery energy storage systems (BESS), building on a national pipeline that now exceeds 1,000 MW across 15 states.

Illinois clean energy mandates drive developer demand

Illinois' Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) sets a target of 100% clean energy by 2050, while the Illinois Shines Adjustable Block Program opens its 2026-2027 cycle on June 1, 2026. The state's Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA) permits co-location of projects up to 10 MW on a single parcel or adjacent properties, and 2026 statewide energy storage legislation established new storage targets, reinforcing demand for grid-responsive infrastructure.

New York – September 20, 2026 -- More than 100 CEOs, heads of state and UN leaders concluded the 2026 UN Private Sector Forum in New York calling for faster public-private cooperation to unlock clean-energy investment, citing grid bottlenecks, regulatory uncertainty and financing gaps as the main barriers to deployment at scale.

UN Secretary-General urges companies to deploy capital and purchasing power

Hosted by the UN Global Compact on behalf of Secretary-General António Guterres, the invitation-only session pressed business leaders to close the gap between existing climate commitments and the pace of change needed to keep the 1.5°C target within reach. Guterres told participants that companies possess the capital, technology, supply chains and consumer base to "supercharge the renewables revolution" through direct investment in clean power and energy efficiency, and by using purchasing power to build markets for clean technologies.

New York – September 16, 2026 -- A three-phase study of more than 5,000 registered U.S. voters has found that while affordability is the single most persuasive argument for clean energy, most Americans do not believe solar and wind power are actually inexpensive. The research, commissioned by Heatmap News from Embold Research and published as "Communicating about Climate and Clean Energy in an Age of Affordability," found that 55% of voters believe solar and wind are cost-competitive only because of government subsidies, and 57% say clean energy advocates exaggerate how cheap the technologies have become.

Oslo – September 15, 2026 -- Nel ASA (OSE: NEL) has signed a framework agreement with Hydrasun to build a dedicated European assembly and integration facility for its modular MC Series PEM electrolyser platform, adding capacity beyond its existing US operations.

Hydrasun will integrate balance-of-plant systems while Nel retains stack production in Connecticut

Under the agreement, Hydrasun will procure, integrate, and manufacture the balance of plant systems surrounding Nel's electrolyser stacks, delivering a fully integrated, containerized offering. Stack production remains at Nel's Wallingford, Connecticut facility in the US, with Hydrasun handling final assembly for European markets.