Highlights
- Manufacture and supply solar energy systems.
- Also install battery storage and vehicle charge points.
- Developed their own efficient solar thermal collector.
- Are working towards net zero with a number of initiatives to reduce carbon.
- More than doubled their workforce in past 5 years.
- Are involved with local community organisations and charities.
AES Solar manufacture and install solar energy systems for domestic and commercial customers across the UK. They have a proven track record, having been delivering solar energy systems for more than 40 years, and are the only UK manufacturer of flat plate solar thermal collectors.
In addition to installing solar thermal and solar photovoltaic systems, they now deliver battery storage units and vehicle charge points among their list of products.
They have also been involved in a number of innovative projects focused on sustainable heat and power, including Floating Solar in partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University, the BEIS Heat Network Project, Heat4Cool study and an Innovate UK project alongside Soltropy and Herriot-Watt University.
AES Solar redesigned their own solar thermal collector, delivering a new unit that is 24% more efficient and designed to last with a 10 year warranty. However, the typical lifespan of an AES Solar thermal panel system is 40+ years.
As well as delivering cost savings and sustainable energy systems to customers, AES Solar have also worked to reduce the carbon emissions from their own activities. This includes working towards zero waste circular production, using recycled and recyclable materials wherever possible. They have increased recycling by 62%, introduced composting at their site and have almost completely removed paper from their operations. They minimise emissions also by supporting producers close to home and are preparing to trial electric vans.
They have won contracts to install solar systems in a number of high profile locations and have more than doubled their workforce over the past 5 years.
Based in Forres, they have developed strong ties to the local community and are involved in a range of local events and community organisations as well as raising funds for charities.
The commitment to projects with a social cause go beyond the Forres area, having for example delivered solar systems to the Linlith-go-solar community project. This saw the installation of Solar PV systems on a number of community buildings in Linlithgow, with the sale of the energy generated producing surplus revenue, which provides income for community initiatives.