The AES Luminary is named Best Buy for solar water heating by Ethical Consumer.

Ethical Consumer acts as an established and trusted name within the ethical business. They offer detailed product guides and news of ethical products. As a result, consumers are able to make effective and informed choices at the checkout.

Best Buy Label

The Buy Label is only awarded to those whose environmental and ethical record warrants it. It is a unique label that looks in detail at the ethical and environmental record of a company or product. Our solar thermal collector, the AES Luminary, came out on top after scoring high in the carbon reporting and supply chain categories.

Ethical Consumer co-editor Tim Hunt said: “We named AES Solar as an ethical Best Buy because it got our best rating for protecting workers’ rights in its supply chain. Plus it did well for policies that reduce its impact on climate change. AES Solar also only makes renewable heating products which are low-carbon. In addition, AES Solar is well aware of its own impact on climate change and has clear policies on how it intends to reduce this impact.”

“The Ethical Consumer Best Buy Label identifies companies such as AES who consider ethics throughout their entire operation. This gives consumers the confidence that they’re making the best possible ethical and environmental choice. The label is the definitive endorsement for people who want to put principles at the top of their shopping list.”

Leading Light

It is no surprise that a solar panel company in the North of Scotland operates in a sustainable manner. Both solar PV and thermal power the AES Solar head office and factory. We manufacture and assemble the majority of our products in Forres. With the majority of our materials from the local and European market, the environmental impact of the transportation is minimal. We resist the less sustainable trend of sourcing materials from Asia. In doing so, we reduce our carbon footprint and support producers closer to home.

In 2014 we redesigned our AES Luminary panel range to be more sustainable and efficient. Thinner and lighter, the AES Luminary is easier and more cost-effective to transport. Consequently, by using higher quality insulation and an AES Solar-designed aluminium extrusion, the panels are now 24% more efficient. As a result of these improvements, the warranty has increased from five years to ten. The out-shipment process and packaging design are also more sustainable and cost-effective.

We now have the recognition of the Best Buy Label scheme to commend the AES Luminary. This is due to the hard work and dedication of our skilled team. Customers now have the additional peace of mind that when they purchase the AES Luminary, they are choosing a genuinely ethical and environmentally friendly product.

Managing Director George Goudsmit said: “I am delighted the AES Luminary has been awarded Ethical Consumer Magazine Best Buy. Sustainability plays a crucial part in everything we do at AES Solar from our brand values and mission to our daily operations and the way we value our people. And now we have this best buy label accreditation providing an authoritative and impartial benchmark for our customers. This is a credit to the AES Solar team who work to spark innovation and harness positivity in everything they do.”