As we approach the year end, we reflect on reaching new heights in 2021, in a year that started with a lockdown and ended with a Lifetime Achievement award in our annual year review.
There is no denying that 2021 got off to a slightly rocky start. With a nationwide lockdown initiated on Boxing Day, we decided to pause nonessential work on retrofits and surveys for the safety of our staff and customers. Following government guidance during this time, we reinstated this work in late April.
Despite this disruption, we have had a fantastic year. A year full of exciting projects and growth (more on that later) with a record turnover!
Perfect ‘Solar’ Storm
We are experiencing a perfect ‘solar’ storm currently. Energy bills are rising and technology prices are falling making solar more attractive than ever. We can’t not mention the effect of COP26 in Glasgow, shining a light on Scotland. Our customers are increasingly concerned about their impact on climate change. We are delighted to help them towards a brighter future.
We are facing an increasingly high demand for both domestic and commercial solar. With that in mind, we would like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding. It does not go unnoticed. Rest assured we are doing all we can to increase our installation and operational capacity while retaining our high levels of quality and service.
New Faces in 2021
That brings us to our growth during this year. We hired eight new members of staff in 2021. You can read our blog post here for full introductions. Highlights include our support of the government Kickstart scheme. We have also doubled our in-house installation team. That will assist with the installation capacity mentioned above.
Our staff have continued to excel this year, as they do every year. Our Operations Director, Josh King, was named Most Promising Individual at the Highland and Islands Renewable Energy Awards. An extremely well-deserved recognition for his commitment to the solar industry. And of course, I am still trying to come back down to earth myself. I was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Solar & Storage Awards in Birmingham. What an honour!
Bright Sparks
Other solar superstars amongst the rank include our Project Analyst, Robert Wilson. Rob recently gained an MSc with distinction in Environmental Sustainability from Napier University. Our Graduate Apprentice, Cameron Duncan, also passed the third year of his business management degree. Cameron now has his Bachelor’s Degree and is on track to graduate with Honours in 2022. We also welcomed our first female engineer, Kiera Wright. Keira is currently undertaking an engineering degree as a Graduate Apprentice while working full-time with AES Solar. Talk about bright sparks!
And it’s not just academically our staff have excelled in. Our Electrical Design Engineer, Keith Esson, is a fundraising hero. He took part in not one but two mammoth fundraising events this year. Participating in Doddie AID – Keith completed 125 miles by running, hiking and swimming to raise money for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. He was joined by a few familiar AES Solar faces (and one four-legged friend) along the way to cheer him on.
As if this wasn’t enough Keith also took part in a successful record breaking challenge. Keith took part in an eyewatering 34 hours of touch rugby with the RAF Lossiemouth Owls. This broke the current record by 30 minutes! Their fundraising efforts went to Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation, a Scottish Children’s Charity. Well done Keith!
Award Wins
Other accolades this year include The Highlands and Islands Enterprise Award for Excellence in Upskilling, Reskilling and Emerging Leaders at the SCDI Highlands & Islands Business Excellence Awards 2021. We also picked up VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards Good Practice Award 2021. Our solar thermal collector has also been recognised for excellence. Named Best Buy by Ethical Consumer Magazine, the AES Luminary scored high in carbon reporting and supply chain. We always strive to achieve brilliance. These awards are well-deserved recognition for our team’s excellent service and products.
Fruitful Partnerships
We have also had the opportunity to build on our great relationships with our partners this year. In April, we announced our partnership with Viridian Solar as the first Fusion Forest Partners. For every Clearline Fusion solar panel installed by AES Solar, two trees will be planted. Our customers know they are contributing to tackling the climate crisis. From the stunning solar panels powering their homes to the extra trees in the world!
Exciting Projects
This year we have seen customers, commercial businesses and communities alike embrace renewables. This domestic new build in Banff features several items from the AES Solar catalogue including a 4.2 kWp Solar PV system, two AES Luminary solar thermal collectors and a Tesla Powerwall.
Nairn Community & Arts Centre
We were approached by Nairn Community & Arts Centre in their efforts to achieve a near-zero carbon footprint. As a result, we gave the community centre the solar power and battery storage treatment. We installed 35 kWp of solar PV and not one but three Tesla Powerwalls with a 40.5 kWh storage capacity!
Nairn Bowling Club
We also helped the nearby Nairn Bowling Club go green, with a solar PV system and battery storage. To celebrate this relationship, we sponsored the Men’s Anniversary Cup at Nairn Bowling Club. These organisations collectively received the Climate Town Award at the Scotland Loves Local Awards. We are delighted to have played a part in this worthy recognition.
Sheriffmill Motor Company
It’s great to see these domestic customers and businesses on our doorstep take up solar technology. By generating free electricity they can meet a significant portion of the business operations and offset carbon emissions too. This includes this 159 panel 56 kWp solar PV system on the Sheriffmill Motor Company in Elgin.
Dun Brewing
We also get out to some stunning locations further afield. We installed over 22.5 kWp of solar PV at Dun Brewing, in Glenelg. Our solar thermal collector was also installed on a fantastic green roof.
P.S. Notice the 2000-year-old broch (defensive structures of the Pics) in the background. Isn’t this contrasted wonderfully with the 21st-century technology in solar PV?
Close to Home
This year more than ever we felt it was important to support causes close to our hearts and community. In January, we sponsored Burns fae Forres – a brilliant virtual Burns Supper raising £2215 for the Moray Emergency Relief Fund. In September with public gatherings permitted we supported the Nairn Book & Arts Festival. With the festival theme of ‘Close to Nature’s Heart,’ we were delighted to offer our support as headline sponsor. This was a great local event championing literature and the arts in the Highlands.
Out and About
You might have seen our vans out on the road all looking the part with their new van livery. A big thanks to Joe at Signed Graphics for doing such a great job. Our installers also have new branded uniforms to keep them safe and warm while out on site. We have exciting plans to rebrand the external signage of our office next – watch this space!
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. Our shared success would not be possible without their commitment, positive attitude and work ethic. I look forward to celebrating everything we have achieved in the new year.
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 2021.
Throughout this festive period and as we move into a new year, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you happy holidays and health and prosperity in the new year.
George Goudsmit, Managing Director
