Our Journey: Powering the Midwest with Solar Since 1999
1999
Company established!
In 1999 the company was founded with the name Advanced Energy Solutions Group, Inc. by Aur Beck, who is the CEO & president. AES' goal is to provide renewable energy solutions to residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
2002
Helped Found Illinois Renewable Energy Association
The company’s ongoing community outreach at a variety of Sustainable Energy Fairs has helped to spread the word about the availability of green technologies in the Midwest, and in 2002 Aur Beck assisted in the creation of the Illinois Renewable Energy Association where he holds board membership to this date.
2004
AES Solar Advances its Educational Mission
After a successful immersion into the Midwestern solar market, AES Solar focused its educational mission by presenting the first renewable energy workshops and seminars in the region.
2005
Missouri Schools Going Solar
AES won both “Missouri Schools Going Solar” bids for the sale and installation of photovoltaic solar (PV) systems at seventeen K-12 schools across Missouri. This big scale project was a huge success and lead to the creation of The Green Geek Squad™ installer network to further expand the scope of AES Solar throughout the Midwest region.
2007
Certified as Climate Project Presenters
Aur became the President of Southern Sustainability in 2007 and was certified as one of Al Gore’s Climate Project presenters.
2009
10 Year Anniversary
AES celebrated its 10th business anniversary by hosting the first Shawnee Energy Festival. For its 10th business anniversary, the company developed an off-the-grid solar trailer that allowed AES Solar to bring education about the feasibility of renewable energy solutions to all across the Midwest.
John A. Logan partnership
AES Solar partnered with the John A. Logan community college in Carterville, IL and the Green Institute at the Heartland Community College in Normal, IL to prepare future energy scholars for the NABCEP PV Entry Level test by offering two accelerated Solar Design & Installation courses.
Started the Green Geek Squad
Started the Green Geek Squad, an installer network, which topped out at 43 partners in 8 states AES Solar installed for/with. They sold it and AES Solar installed it with our Green Geek Squad Rapid Response Team.
2010
Joined the Midwest Solar Training Network
2010 Aur Beck was picked to join the Midwest Solar Training Network ( a 5 year DOE (Department of Energy) program) to share his expertise.
2011
NABCEP certified
Our Chief Tech Aur Beck becomes NABCEP ( www.NABCEP.org ) certified as a PV Installation Professional
2012
NABCEP certified
Our Chief Tech Aur Beck becomes NABCEP ( www.NABCEP.org ) certified as a PV Technical Sales Professional
2014
Solar for the Cayman Islands
In 2014 Aur Beck got to work for 6 months in the Cayman Islands helping start a solar industry.
2015
Solar in Southern Illinois
2015 AES Solar notices local (Southern IL/Heartland) business is picking up so starts focusing not just on design/installation but also on sales. Solar has come home!
2016
AES Solar on the WDBX roof
Summer of 2016 AES Solar facilitated an installation class through John A Logan and donations to put in a solar system on WDBX Community Radio station http://wdbx.org/solar
New Headquarters
AES Solar moves HQ to Carterville, IL
2017
Solar Installs Across Southern Illinois Schools
In 2016 (with an April 18 2017 ribbon cutting) WindSolarUSA, Inc, the USDA, ICECF, The Solar Star Foundation, DCEO and ISEA partnered with AES Solar to install (7) 1.14kW solar awnings at schools located in Johnston City, Herrin and Vienna. These solar installations were part of a bigger project to help southern IL electrical contractors gain the necessary hands-on instruction to gain solar certifications necessary to install solar in IL. AES Solar served as the administrator of the hands-on instruction and, as a result, now students, teachers and the communities at large can have an educational experience with these awnings to learn more about solar in general and also see the impact that the awnings provide to temperatures in the classrooms that are shaded.
Grand opening
2017 March 20. Grand opening of educational working system showroom. Ribbon cutting/Grand Opening was highly attended with as many as 200 people.
18 Years of Installing Solar
2017 June 4 celebrates 18 years of installing solar
2018
Joined IBEW
March 2018 AES Solar becomes a Union Electrical Contractor by joining the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers)
Educational Showroom Open One Year
March 20 2018 First day of spring celebration of a year of our educational showroom being open
Williamson County Habitat for Humanity home
June 2018 Donated and installed a solar power system at a Williamson County Habitat for Humanity home as part of John A. Logan training course
2019
10 years of solar training
May 2019 is 10 years of solar training classes at John A Logan College
ONE MILLION watts of Solar!
May 2019 We have officially installed over ONE MILLION watts of Solar!
Williamson County Habitat for Humanity home
May, 2019, AES Solar held a hands-on training class in Marion where we helped donate and install solar on a Habitat for Humanity home with Grid Alternatives, Elevate Energy and LSSI. This class was a part of the Future Energy Jobs act.
Jackson Union County Habitat for Humanity home
May 2019 Donated and installed a solar power system at a Jackson Union County Habitat for Humanity home in Carbondale as part of John A. Logan college training course.
20 Years of Installing Solar
June 4 celebrates 20 years of installing solar
2020
21 Years in Business!
If AES Solar was a person, we’d be able to drink a bottle of our Sunshine Wine from Walker’s Bluff!
Adapted to Pandemic Conditions
Implemented COVID-safe work practices to protect both customers and employees while continuing installations and service work without compromise.
Built Momentum for Certifications
Took steps toward what would become Pearl Certification and Enphase Gold Installer recognition in later years by formalizing best practices and deepening installer training.
Generator-Solar System Integration Growth
Saw growing demand for energy resilience, including generator + solar hybrid systems, as homeowners looked for energy security amid uncertainty.
2021
2.5 MILLION Watts!
We have officially installed over 2.5 million watts of solar throughout Southern Illinois!
Expanded Union Installer Team
Continued hiring and training IBEW-certified electricians, reinforcing professional, code-compliant solar installations.
NABCEP Training & Credentials
Invested in NABCEP certifications to maintain the highest standard of solar expertise on staff.
Enhanced Customer Support Systems
Built internal processes for faster troubleshooting and monitoring, laying the groundwork for First Year Complete Care and consistent performance follow-up.
2022
Over 3.6 MILLION Watts!
Our customers have trusted us to install over 3.6 million watts of solar and counting…
Expanded Battery Installations
Responded to increased demand for home energy storage, especially Enphase IQ Battery systems and generator integration — a major value-add for customers seeking energy independence.
Advanced Training for Enphase Systems
Invested in deeper Enphase product knowledge (IQ Microinverters, System Controller, monitoring tools), preparing our team for Gold Installer status.
2023
IBEW & NABCEP Credentials
Reinforced team certifications and training, maintaining high standards and installer professionalism.
Expanded Battery Installations
More homeowners added storage to their solar systems, and AES handled everything in-house, including Enphase and generator integration.
2024
Over 5 MILLION Watts!
More and more customers have joined us by going solar - over 5.3 million to be exact!
Enphase Gold
In April, AES was recognized by Enphase for installation excellence, technical expertise, and commitment to quality — placing AES among the top-tier installers in the region.
Improved Warranty Access for Customers
As a Gold Installer, AES can offer extended warranties on select Enphase products, providing even more peace of mind.
Faster Enphase Support
Gained priority access to Enphase technical resources, improving response times and system uptime for our customers.