Nautilus Solar Energy is relocating its corporate headquarters from New Jersey to Chicago, anticipating that Illinois will become its fastest-growing market.
The community solar provider will move into its new space at 200 N. La Salle St. on July 1, as confirmed by Chief Financial Officer Camelia Miu. While Nautilus was previously headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, most of its employees have been operating remotely.
With this strategic move, Nautilus aims to align its headquarters with its rapidly expanding operations in Illinois, which Miu describes as having an outstanding community solar program that aligns with the company’s core business model.
“It makes sense to have a headquarters office located in the city,” Miu stated. “I think Chicago provides a very good central location for everyone throughout the country to travel.”
Nautilus identifies itself as one of the largest community solar companies in the nation, offering an alternative to traditional solar panel ownership that is especially beneficial for renters. By subscribing to community solar, households or businesses receive solar credits that reduce their electricity bills. The solar power generated from these projects feeds into the local power grid, making it accessible to subscribers.
“Community solar programs are a great way for anybody to be able to subscribe to green energy,” Miu added.
The company plans to occupy 3,600 square feet of office space in Chicago and currently employs five to six staff members in the city. Miu indicated that the employee count is expected to grow organically as Nautilus continues to hire for both remote and hybrid positions, with a recent new hire based in Chicago.
The Illinois community solar program, initiated through the Illinois Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA), has positioned the state as an early leader in this sector, according to Miu. Nautilus currently has nine projects under construction in Illinois, totaling roughly 65 megawatts of community solar power. Additionally, it has more than 35 projects at various development stages in the state, amounting to over 200 megawatts of power.
According to Miu, one megawatt of power in this initiative can serve between 400 and 1,000 households annually.
“Our subscriber base is going to grow significantly in the state,” Miu said.
Nautilus plans to contribute 29 megawatts of solar energy to the local grid this summer, including 10 megawatts allocated for low-income households. Over the next year, the company anticipates adding more than 100 megawatts of additional capacity throughout Illinois.
Jeffrey Cheng, CEO of Nautilus, affirmed the critical role community solar plays in addressing the nation’s increasing energy demands. He stated, “Community solar continues to play a critical role in meeting the country’s growing energy needs, and Illinois, along with several of its neighboring states, is at the center of that momentum.”
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