As we approach the year’s end, we reflect on our year…and what a Royally Good 2022 it’s been!
2022 has not been without its challenges, as we emerged from the last of the Covid-19 restrictions into a cost-of-living crisis which saw energy bills soar for houses and businesses across the UK.
Despite this turbulent year, the AES Solar team have continued to shine. Not only have we worked together to ease the financial burdens for our customers. We have also experienced great highs from a royal stamp of approval, to a first-of-its-kind historic install, to stellar personal achievements.
We’ll discuss all this and more in our annual year in review.
Restrictions Ease
In January, following a rise in festive covid cases, the office was manned by essential personnel only. Thankfully, the situation has improved. Our office has returned to the hive of activity it was pre-pandemic. We now utilise a hybrid work set-up for our staff recognising the benefit it gives our staff.
Office Renovation
On that note, the AES Solar head office experienced some major renovations in 2022! A wall was knocked down to make a larger office space to accommodate our growing team. As a result, we have been provided with a lighter and brighter office space to make our own. We have more renovation works planned for 2023 so watch this space for updates!
Industry News
This year has seen an unprecedented demand for solar. Homeowners and businesses alike have turned to renewables to counteract rising energy bills. We are busier than ever reacting to this demand while dealing with material supply issues due to shipping delays, labour shortages, and ongoing lockdowns in China. In 2022 we upped our recruitment drive and increased our installation capacity to harness the power of the sun for as many customers as possible. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers for their patience at this time.
New Starts
This year we welcomed 14 new starts and one returning member of staff to AES Solar across all departments. In our finance department, we have been joined by Finance Manager Lynn Davidson, Assistant Accountant Melanie Olivant, Accounts Administrator Martina Spevackova, and Systems Coordinator Maloa Fieldhouse.
We welcomed not one but two new design engineers Sam Wiggins and Allan Simpson joining the technical team. Laurie Martinez filled our Technical Admin Assistant position and our operations team has been enhanced by Pia Parada Pimentel as Operations Admin Assistant.
We said hello to Manufacturing and Warehouse Assistant Kyle Esson, and welcomed Dylan Strachan back to the team in the same role. Our in-house installation has also grown by two with Jake Jones joining us as Solar Electrician and Matt Jamieson starting as a Solar Installer.
The sales team also welcomed Sales Consultant Andrew Austin to the company way back in January of this year. Last but certainly not least Chloe Murray joined our administration team as a Receptionist. Phew! Welcome to the team all. We are delighted to have you and cannot wait to see what you all achieve!
Exciting Projects
Edinburgh Castle
Perhaps the most monumental project of 2022 (in more ways than one) includes the 31.5 kWp solar PV system installed on Edinburgh Castle. We were honoured to be the chosen installation team on the historic landmark. The solar panels on Edinburgh Castle are an excellent example of the potential of solar on other historic sites across Scotland.
Commercial Solar
We continue to be the installer of choice for commercial businesses across Scotland. We are continuously seeing commercial businesses looking to utilise their large roof spaces to combat rising energy bills.
Commercial projects of note include a 125 kWp solar PV system installed on First Integrated Aberdeen with a commercial SolarEdge inverter for optimum panel efficiency and maximum energy production!
And if that wasn’t big enough, we also secured a mammoth contract which will see us install over 3000 panels in Applecross over three different phases of work. We’ve completed phases 1 and 2 this year and are set to complete the works in 2023.
Closer to home we installed a 42 kWp solar PV system for the brand new Speyside Centre in Grantown-on-Spey, reducing energy bills and carbon footprint in one. We also installed a 49 kWp Solar PV system at Inverness Kart Raceway which is well “on track” to achieving carbon-neutral karting! It is encouraging that despite the material shortage faced by the industry as a whole we are still ticking off these commercial works.
And it’s not just solar PV either! In this instance, it was 10 of our AES Luminary panels installed on the toilet & shower blocks at Findhorn Bay Holiday Park. The solar thermal collectors will provide the happy campers with hot water from the power of the sun!
The Queen’s Award for Enterprise
AES Solar was honoured to be awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Excellence in Sustainable Development in 2022. The awards are the most prestigious business awards in the country. We were one of 225 organisations recognised this year across the UK. We now fly the flag proudly above our office and will do for the next five years. This award was very much for the whole team. It is a recognition of our work and our contribution to sustainability and tackling climate change.
On that note, it seems fitting at this time to mention the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We always felt supported by the Queen. We wish to record our gratitude for this support as well as her lifetime of dedicated service.
Staff Achievements
Our solar superstars have excelled in both their professional and personal lives. Our Scheduling Coordinator Cameron Duncan graduated this year with a BA (Hons) in Business Management after completing a four-year graduate apprenticeship at Robert Gordon University. Accounts Administrator Martina Spevackova also passed her HND in accounting this year. A relatively new start, Martina is already proving herself to be a valuable addition to the team.
Connor Sneddon and Robert Wilson were delighted with a trip to Hungary in September. The trip was kindly gifted kindly by Peter McIntosh who won the trip in a SolarEdge competition. As part of the trip, Connor and Rob visited the SolarEdge factory in Budapest to see how their products are made and learn more about the company. An informative trip that was enjoyed by both, thank you SolarEdge for the amazing opportunity!
In terms of personal achievements Director, Campbell MacLennan and External Consultant Irene Macdonald reached the top of Mount Toubkal in October, the highest peak in North Africa & the Middle East at 4167 metres. And just last month Operations Coordinator Jordan MacDonald completed The Dava Way 50k, completing a staggering 50km in 7 hours and 30 minutes! Brilliant stuff indeed! In other news, we’ve also celebrated an engagement, and a wedding, and welcomed four new babies to the AES Solar family!
Steps Challenge
As part of our efforts to boost the health and well-being of our team, we launched a step challenge at the beginning of the year to encourage our staff to get their steps in. As part of this challenge, we organised three group walks open to friends and family of AES Solar. These walks compromised of Divie Gorge, Ben Rinnes and The Lairig Ghru. Although we’re still waiting on the final tally we’re pleased to say as of November the AES Solar steps team walked 30,139,424 steps.
Corporate Social Responsibility
In 2022 we revamped our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy as part of our Health and Well-being objectives. As a company we have focused more on internal goals this year, looking at how we can best support our staff and make AES Solar a compassionate and encouraging place to work after a difficult few years for all.
We sponsored Pride in Moray and continue to sponsor local sports clubs such as Forres Mechanics. We have attended multiple school events and career fairs. In-house we have provided mental health awareness training for all staff. We also allocated and trained designated mental health first aiders within the company. There was also the creation of a formal CSR committee which has been pivotal in driving the CSR strategy. It’s incredibly encouraging to see what we have achieved even after a very challenging year.
Signing Off
As I sign off for the year, I would like to thank the AES Solar team – our installers, surveyors and office staff – for their hard work and dedication. This year has not come without its challenges, with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and also new trials to face with the energy crisis. The team have handled this brilliantly riding out the solar storm and emerging stronger than ever.
Our shared success would not be possible without their commitment, positive attitude and work ethic. It has also been a delight to celebrate some of these achievements with my team in person this year. Long overdue indeed!
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our new and existing customers, clients and partners who have continued to support us in 2022. This is particularly appreciated at a time when we have faced unprecedented demand for our products and services.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you Happy Holidays and health and prosperity in the New Year.
George Goudsmit, Managing Director
