History

The future of energy since 1979

Follow the AES company timeline to uncover our long history of being a future-focussed energy systems expert.

Company founded by Lyle Schnadt

1979

Company founded by Lyle Schnadt

Installed Europe’s largest commercial solar thermal system at that time

1980

Installed Europe’s largest commercial solar thermal system at that time

George Goudsmit took over AES Solar.
Joined the Solar Trade Association

1990

George Goudsmit took over AES Solar.
Joined the Solar Trade Association

Co-founding member of Scottish Renewables.
Exported 550 solar thermal systems to the Seychelles

1994

Co-founding member of Scottish Renewables.
Exported 550 solar thermal systems to the Seychelles

Prof. Sue Roaf install – First grid connected PV installation

1995

Prof. Sue Roaf install – First grid connected PV installation

Moved to new manufacturing premises in Forres

1998

Moved to new manufacturing premises in Forres

Campbell McLennan joined company as Technical Director

2006

Campbell McLennan joined company as Technical Director

Installed our first 50kWp PV system in Scotland

2011

Installed our first 50kWp PV system in Scotland

AES Solar acquired Aberdeen-based SolarScotia

2012

AES Solar acquired Aberdeen-based SolarScotia

Obtained solar keymark for the new AES Supremacy panel.
Installed Solar thermal system on Balmoral Estate

2014

Obtained solar keymark for the new AES Supremacy panel.
Installed Solar thermal system on Balmoral Estate

Installed our first PV connected battery system

2015

Installed our first PV connected battery system

Partnered with Tesla and Sunpower.
Awarded SME of the Year by Moray Chamber of Commerce

2016

Partnered with Tesla and Sunpower
Awarded SME of the Year by Moray Chamber of Commerce

Installed our first Electric Vehicle Charger

2017

Installed our first Electric Vehicle Charger

Our installation at “Lochside House” wins Grand Design’s House of the Year

2018

Our installation at “Lochside House” wins Grand Design’s House of the Year

AES Solar celebrates 40th year in business.
Winner of Solar PV installer & Contractor of the Year in Scotland Energy Efficiency Awards

2019

AES Solar celebrates 40th year in business
Winner of Solar PV installer & Contractor of the Year in Scotland Energy Efficiency Awards

Despite the uncertainties of 2020, AES Solar hired 6 new staff in a year of record growth for the solar industry

2020

Despite the uncertainties of 2020, AES Solar hired 6 new staff in a year of record growth for the solar industry

AES Luminary awarded Best Buy for solar water heating by Ethical Consumer | George Goudsmit awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Solar and Storage Live Awards

2021

AES Luminary awarded Best Buy for solar water heating by Ethical Consumer | George Goudsmit awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Solar and Storage Live Awards

AES Solar complete a 31.5 kWp solar PV system on Edinburgh Castle.
The company are awarded the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development

2022

AES Solar complete a 31.5 kWp solar PV system on Edinburgh Castle • The company are awarded The Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development