AAEA

What AAEA does

AAEA is a 501(c)(6) membership-based trade association and the only statewide business organization dedicated to advanced energy in Arkansas. It serves as the unified business voice for solar, wind, storage, energy efficiency, natural gas, and demand-response technologies, with a member base spanning developers (Invenergy, EDP Renewables, Silicon Ranch, Longroad Energy, Treaty Oak Clean Energy), large corporate energy consumers (Google, Walmart, Meta via PPA counterparties), utilities and cooperatives, small businesses, municipalities, and landowners. Its service portfolio combines regulatory advocacy (intervention in APSC rate cases and dockets, participation in MISO and SPP transmission planning), legislative engagement (Arkansas Energy Lobby Day, opposition to wind moratoriums), workforce development (SkillStream, SkillSync, employer forums, Power Players scholarships), and financing tools (Arkansas PACE District / C-PACE program, $2.8M revolving loan fund).

The organization operates a dual-entity model: the 501(c)(6) AAEA handles advocacy, membership, and policy work, while its affiliated 501(c)(3) Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation (AAEF) administers grants, research, public education, and workforce programs. AAEF is a subrecipient of a $93.6M EPA Solar for All federal grant (with Hope Enterprise Corp) and partnered with Pulaski County on a $250K Municipal Investment Fund grant. AAEA distributes value through annual events (emPOWER Arkansas Conference & Expo in North Little Rock, Arkansas Energy Week, Arkansas Energy Lobby Day), monthly Power Hour webinars, Quarterly Charge themed sessions, and employer forums, alongside earned-media outreach that generated approximately 45M media impressions in 2025.

Revenue is generated across three streams: tiered annual membership dues (three tiers, payment thresholds at $5,000 distinguishing card/ACH), event sponsorships (Invenergy presenting, Google champion, Walmart, SREA breakout sessions), and federal/philanthropic grant funding ($1,030,691 secured in 2025). The organization moved from approximately 5 to 11 staff during 2025, adding its first in-house legal counsel (Joel DiPippa), and is governed by a board chaired since July 2025 by Lisa Perry of Walmart.

Name

AAEA

Legal name

Arkansas Advanced Energy Association

Website

https://arkansasadvancedenergy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Arkansas Advanced Energy Association (AAEA) is the only statewide 501(c)(6) business trade association serving as the unified voice for advanced energy in Arkansas, providing regulatory advocacy, workforce development, and financing tools to energy developers, large corporate buyers, utilities, and municipalities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy Trade Association & Advocacy Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)

Keywords

• Advanced energy advocacy
• Trade association services
• Workforce development programs
• Clean energy financing
• Regulatory policy advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Little Rock

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: AAEA operates as a membership-based trade organization. Organizations join as members and pay annual dues. Membership tiers are described on the Member Benefits page with distinct levels offering different advantages. For amounts under $5,000, payment via card or ACH is accepted; for amounts $5,000 and over, ACH only is accepted. Processing is handled through Zeffy (a 100% free nonprofit payment platform) for credit card fee savings.
2. Event Sponsorships & Conference Revenue: The emPOWER Arkansas Conference & Expo generates sponsorship revenue from organizations such as Invenergy (presenting sponsor), Google (champion sponsor), North Little Rock Tourism (host sponsor), Walmart (breakout session sponsor), and Southern Renewable Energy Association (breakout session sponsor). Events are free for members and $20 for non-members in some cases.
3. Grant Funding: AAEA and its affiliated Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation (AAEF) secure grant funding for workforce development, economic development, advocacy, and transmission planning. In 2025, AAEA realized $1,030,691 in grant funding. Notable grants include Municipal Investment Fund (MIF) in partnership with Pulaski County ($250,000), EPA Solar for All program ($93.6 million subrecipient grant through AAEF), and a $2.8 million revolving loan fund for clean energy projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

AAEA is a 501(c)(6) membership-based trade organization that serves as the unified business voice for advanced energy in Arkansas. It provides legislative and regulatory advocacy at the Arkansas Public Service Commission and state legislature, workforce development programs (SkillStream, SkillSeekers, internships, Power Players scholarships), clean energy financing tools (C-PACE, $2.8M revolving loan fund), and member engagement through events including the annual emPOWER Arkansas Conference & Expo and Arkansas Energy Lobby Day. Its affiliated 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation (AAEF), administers grant-funded programs including a $93.6 million EPA Solar for All subrecipient grant.

Product overview

The Arkansas Advanced Energy Association (AAEA) operates as a dual-entity organization consisting of the 501(c)(6) membership-based trade association (AAEA) and its 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation (AAEF). AAEA serves as the business voice for advanced energy, providing advocacy, policy engagement, and member services, while AAEF focuses on public education, research, and workforce development. The organization offers a portfolio of programs including Power Hour monthly member meetings, the annual emPOWER Arkansas Conference & Expo, Arkansas Energy Week, and Arkansas Energy Lobby Day for advocacy activities. Workforce development is delivered through SkillStream, the Power Players Scholarship Program, and an Internship Program. Financing tools are provided through the Arkansas PACE District / C-PACE Program for commercial clean energy projects. The organization is not a technology product company but rather a trade association focused on energy policy, workforce, and economic development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation (AAEF): A 501(c)(3) nonprofit that promotes greater public understanding of advanced energy through research, public education programs and economic and workforce development. AAEF is the nonprofit arm of AAEA.

Products and services

• AAEA Membership Tiered annual membership program for organizations in the Arkansas advanced energy ecosystem, providing advocacy at legislative and regulatory levels, policy group briefings, targeted outreach, strategic partnerships, networking, and member benefits including website logo and information showcase.
• emPOWER Arkansas Conference & Expo Annual two-day conference held in North Little Rock that brings together more than 100 Arkansas and national leaders in energy and workforce development, featuring keynote panels, breakout sessions on transmission, storage, data centers, and energy generation, plus 14 interactive expo booths and a workforce development track serving 250 students and job seekers.
• Arkansas Energy Lobby Day Annual legislative advocacy day at the Arkansas State Capitol where AAEA members advocate for market-driven energy solutions, meeting with legislators and testifying on key bills during the Arkansas legislative session.
• Power Hour Monthly member meetings held on the second Wednesday of every month from 9:00-10:00 AM, providing opportunities for AAEA staff to connect with members, share policy updates, gather feedback, and discuss the latest energy policies, programs, and opportunities.
• Arkansas Energy Week Inaugural statewide event promoting energy awareness and public understanding of advanced energy across Arkansas.
• SkillStream Workforce Initiative Workforce development program connecting employers, training providers, and job seekers statewide through apprenticeships, employer forums, SkillSync collaboration calls, and funding access for energy sector employment.
• Arkansas PACE District / C-PACE Program Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy program providing market-based financing tools for clean energy and resiliency projects for commercial properties, supporting small businesses, nonprofits, and local institutions.
• Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation (AAEF) Revolving Loan Fund A $2.8 million revolving loan fund administered through the affiliated AAEF providing financing for clean energy and resiliency projects for commercial properties in Arkansas.
• Internship Program Program providing internship opportunities in the energy sector for students and job seekers, supporting workforce pipeline development in Arkansas.
• Power Players Scholarship Program Scholarship program for high school students interested in pursuing careers in the energy sector.

Quantifiable outcome

• Secured $1,030,691 in grant funding in 2025, bringing federal and philanthropic resources into Arkansas
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hope Enterprise CorpcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Hope Enterprise Corp is AAEA/AAEF's partner in the $93.6 million EPA Solar for All program. This federal grant aims to boost rooftop solar power in rural areas and promote energy independence. AAEF serves as a subrecipient alongside Hope Enterprise Corp, bringing federal clean energy dollars to Arkansas communities.
• Americans for Prosperity – Arkansas (AFP-Arkansas)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAEA and AFP-Arkansas announced an energy policy partnership in February 2025 to advance shared goals around affordability, reliability, and transparency. This cross-ideological alliance combines AAEA's industry expertise with AFP's grassroots advocacy network. As a result of this partnership, AAEA elevated member voices and broadened public engagement through initiatives including the 'WattsUp' social media campaign and coordinated advocacy during the 2025 Arkansas legislative session.
• Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation (AAEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAEF is the affiliated 501(c)(3) nonprofit of AAEA. While AAEA (501(c)(6)) focuses on business advocacy and membership, AAEF promotes greater public understanding of advanced energy through research, public education programs, and economic and workforce development. AAEA and AAEF share staff (Lauren Waldrip serves as Executive Director of both) and co-host events. AAEF administers grant programs including the $93.6M EPA Solar for All subrecipient grant and the $2.8M revolving loan fund.
• U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAEA and USGBC co-host events, including the 'Advancing Energy Efficiency in Arkansas' Quarterly Charge on August 28, 2025, hosted at Entegrity Headquarters (the first LEED Zero Energy certified project in the US). This partnership brings together the commercial building/energy efficiency community with AAEA's advanced energy ecosystem.
• Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAAEA actively engages with the APSC as an intervening party in rate cases and regulatory proceedings on behalf of its members. AAEA intervened in the SWEPCO rate case and opposed interconnection tariff proposals from six electric cooperatives (dockets 24-053-TF through 24-058-TF), all of which were ultimately disapproved. AAEA testified at APSC proceedings and submitted Direct and Surrebuttal Testimonies.
• Southwest Power Pool (SPP)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAAEA participates in SPP's long-term transmission planning processes as a stakeholder. SPP Board approved $8.6 billion in 2025 ITP transmission projects. AAEA engages in Integrated Transmission Planning (ITP) stakeholder processes to ensure Arkansas's interests are represented in regional grid investment decisions.
• Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAAEA participates in MISO planning discussions, particularly regarding MISO South's generator interconnection processes and long-term portfolio designation. AAEA submitted comments at the MISO Board Week. MISO manages Entergy Arkansas's territory in Arkansas. AAEA engages in MISO stakeholder processes to advocate for Arkansas's energy development.
• Pulaski CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAEA partnered with Pulaski County on the Municipal Investment Fund (MIF) grant, through which AAEF received a $250,000 grant for job training and capital improvements. This partnership supports workforce development initiatives and clean energy projects in the county.
• Southern Renewable Energy Association (SREA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSREA and AAEA co-sponsored the 'Powering Progress: The future of Energy Generation' closing session at emPOWER 2025. SREA serves Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. AAEA participates in SREA-coordinated regional advocacy efforts and shares stakeholder engagement in the Southeast transmission planning context.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO): Association representing state energy offices and policymakers. Adjacent ecosystem participant — NASEO members are often the public-sector counterparts AAEA engages with on state energy planning and federal funding allocation.
• Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA): Nonprofit focused on grid modernization and the utility-customer interface, with research and convening functions. Adjacent to AAEA's mission in the regulatory and grid reliability space, but operates nationally and from a research/utility-engagement posture.
• Vote Solar: Nonprofit state-level solar advocacy organization active across multiple states. Adjacent to AAEA's advocacy work on rooftop solar, interconnection, and equitable access, but operates as a 501(c)(3) advocacy group rather than a business trade association.
• Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA): Nonprofit coalition of state clean energy programs and funders that convenes state officials and program managers. Related to AAEA's mission via state-level clean energy deployment, with comparable member base but a program/fund administration focus rather than business advocacy.

Broad incumbents

• Advanced Energy United: National business association representing advanced energy companies across all states and technologies. Functions as a broader umbrella industry advocacy organization that AAEA effectively complements at the state level; both groups lobby for clean energy policy and grid modernization.
• American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE): National nonprofit that brings together renewable energy developers, investors, and corporate buyers. Operates as a federal-level industry advocate and convenes the renewable energy finance community — comparable advocacy mission to AAEA but at national scale.
• Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA): National trade association for the U.S. solar industry and largest solar industry advocacy organization. Functions as a federal-level umbrella that complements AAEA's Arkansas-specific work; many AAEA members (Silicon Ranch, EDPR, Treaty Oak, Longroad) are also SEIA members.

Direct peers

• Texas Solar Power Association: State-level solar industry trade association serving the Texas market. Closest structural analog to AAEA as a state energy trade association focused on solar advocacy, regulatory engagement, and member mobilization.
• Southern Renewable Energy Association (SREA): Regional trade association for renewable energy across the Southeast (AL, AR, GA, KY, LA, MS, TN). Closest direct peer to AAEA — AAEA is a co-sponsor of SREA programming (e.g., 'Powering Progress' session at emPOWER 2025) and they coordinate on Southeast transmission planning advocacy.
• Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (Michigan EIBC): Michigan-based advanced energy trade association convening clean energy businesses, utilities, and corporate buyers. One of the most established state-level models AAEA emulates, with comparable legislative advocacy and member services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arkansas-advanced-energy-association
• Xx.com/ArkAdvEnergy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AAEA