Alternative Energy Systems

What Alternative Energy Systems does

Alternative Energy Systems (AES) is a privately held solar energy installation contractor founded in 2004 and headquartered in Chico, California. The company designs, sells, installs, and maintains grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) solar systems for residential homeowners, commercial businesses, agricultural operations, and government and nonprofit entities across Northern California's North Valley region, including Chico, Yuba City, Sacramento, and Redding.

AES operates as a SunPower Master Dealer (since 2013) and installs SunPower X22 series panels rated at 22% efficiency versus roughly 16% for traditional PV modules. The core product portfolio comprises residential and commercial solar systems, agricultural solar systems, Tesla Powerwall battery storage (the only locally-owned Tesla-certified installer in the region), Generac standby backup generators, EV charging stations, and Non-Exporting Add-Ons designed to bypass California's NEM 3.0 export tariffs. Service revenue includes maintenance, repair, and cleaning for both AES-installed and orphaned third-party systems.

AES runs a hybrid go-to-market combining field sales (on-site consultations, home audits, custom system design), inside sales (virtual consultations), a physical Solar Design Center showroom in Chico, a Main Campus housing commercial sales and project coordination, and channel partnerships with SunPower, Tesla, Enphase, Generac, and financing partners Mosaic, Enerbank, Matador, and SunPower Financial. Pricing is quote-based and supports cash purchase, solar loans, and leasing. Co-owners Lance McClung and Tim Hamor retain C-10 and C-46 RMO designations, and the company holds multiple SunPower Dealer of the Year awards (2014 Commercial National, 2017 Residential Regional, 2018 Commercial Regional) and the highest concentration of NABCEP-certified staff among California solar firms.

Name

Alternative Energy Systems

Legal name

Alternative Energy Systems Inc.

Website

https://savingenergyforlife.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Alternative Energy Systems is a SunPower Master Dealer and Tesla Powerwall Certified Installer that designs, sells, installs, and services residential, commercial, and agricultural solar-plus-storage systems across Northern California's North Valley region from its Chico, California headquarters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Installation Services

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System) (EUAMABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Home Energy & EV Charging (HEMS, Smart Meters, Batteries, Chargers) (HSAPAQAF), Residential / Behind-the-Meter Storage Installation & Integration (EUAEAEAC)

Keywords

• Solar panel installation
• Residential solar systems
• Commercial solar energy
• Battery storage solutions
• Agricultural solar systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Chico

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Solar System Sales and Installation: AES sells and installs complete solar energy systems for residential, commercial, and agricultural customers. Revenue is generated through one-time installation fees for purchased systems, including custom design, permitting, and activation services.
2. Maintenance and Repair Services: AES provides ongoing maintenance, repairs, and cleaning services for solar systems, serving both AES-installed systems and non-AES systems. Service includes troubleshooting, system resets, and performance optimization.
3. Financing Partnerships: AES facilitates solar financing through partnerships with SunPower loans, Mosaic, Enerbank, and Matador, earning referral fees or commissions on originated loans.
4. Standby Generator Sales and Installation: AES sells and installs Generac standby generators as an complementary product to solar for backup power needs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Alternative Energy Systems (AES) designs, sells, and installs photovoltaic grid-tied solar energy systems for residential, commercial, and agricultural customers across Northern California's North Valley region. As a SunPower Master Dealer and Tesla Powerwall Certified Installer, AES bundles high-efficiency SunPower panels with battery storage, EV chargers, and Generac backup generators, providing full end-to-end service including custom design, permitting, installation, and ongoing maintenance and repair (including orphaned non-AES systems).

Product overview

Alternative Energy Systems (AES) is a solar energy installation company serving Northern California's North Valley region. The company operates as a SunPower Master Dealer offering a comprehensive portfolio of solar and energy solutions centered around SunPower high-efficiency photovoltaic panels. The core product line includes residential and commercial solar panel systems (featuring SunPower X22 series panels at 22% efficiency), supplemented by battery storage solutions (Tesla Powerwall), EV car chargers, and Generac standby backup generators. Add-on modules include Non-Exporting Add-Ons designed to optimize solar capacity under California's NEM 3.0 tariffs. The company provides end-to-end services including system design, installation, maintenance, repairs, and financing options for both cash purchases and loans/leases. AES serves residential homeowners, commercial businesses, and agricultural operations across the North Valley region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential High-Efficiency Solar Systems (SunPower) Custom-designed grid-tied photovoltaic solar systems for residential homes using SunPower high-efficiency panels with up to 22% efficiency ratings (X22 series) for maximum energy production per square foot. Includes full design, permitting, and installation services.
• Commercial Solar Systems Solar energy solutions for commercial businesses including offices, retail locations, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities, featuring SunPower commercial-grade panels and Helix racking systems for roof arrays and parking lot shade structures.
• Agricultural Solar Systems Solar power systems designed for farms and agricultural operations to increase energy efficiency and reduce operational costs for water pumps, crop drying, and facility power.
• Battery Storage Systems (Tesla Powerwall) Energy storage solutions including Tesla Powerwall battery systems that enable homeowners and businesses to store solar energy for use during evening hours or power outages, maximizing self-consumption and energy independence.
• EV Car Chargers Electric vehicle charging station installation services for homes and businesses, enabling EV owners to charge their vehicles using solar-generated electricity.
• Non-Exporting Add-Ons Solar capacity expansion solutions designed to increase energy generation without triggering NEM 3.0 tariffs, allowing customers to maximize their solar investment under California's updated net metering rules.
• Generac Backup Generators Whole-house standby generators from Generac that provide automatic backup power during outages, available in various power ranges to suit different home sizes.
• Maintenance & Repairs Solar system maintenance, cleaning, and repair services for both AES-installed systems and non-AES solar systems, including troubleshooting, inverter service, and performance optimization.
• Commercial Financing Financing options for commercial solar installations including cash purchase, loans through partners like Mosaic, Enerbank, and Matador, and lease arrangements for businesses seeking to go solar.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduces monthly electricity bills to near zero with properly sized solar system
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SunPower CorporationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAES became a SunPower Master Dealer in 2013, granting exclusive rights to sell and install SunPower solar products in the North Valley region. This partnership provides access to industry-leading high-efficiency solar panels (22% efficiency), comprehensive training, marketing support, and dealer network benefits. SunPower is a global leader in solar technology with operations worldwide.
• TeslacoreTechnology or IntegrationAES is the only locally-owned Tesla Powerwall Certified Installer in the North Valley. This certification enables AES to install Tesla Powerwall battery storage products integrated with solar systems, providing customers with advanced energy storage solutions for backup power and load shifting.
• Amicus SolarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAES partners with Amicus Solar for operations and maintenance support and industry collaboration. Amicus O&M provides specialized service offerings for solar system maintenance.
• REC SolarminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner solar panel manufacturer offering alternative solar panel options alongside SunPower products.
• GeneracminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAES is an authorized dealer of Generac standby generators, offering backup power solutions as a complement to solar installations.
• Chico Community Shelter PartnershipminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partnership providing special discounts on solar systems for employees or members of participating organizations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ADT Solar: National residential solar installer (formerly known as ADT Solar / Sunpro Solar) operating across multiple states. Overlaps with AES on residential solar field-sales and battery add-ons but at a national scale with broader marketing reach.
• Sunrun: Largest U.S. residential solar installer with national footprint, lease/PPA financing, and battery storage offerings. Competes with AES for the same residential California customers but with materially greater capital and a national sales infrastructure.
• SunPower Corporation: National solar manufacturer and installer that is both AES's primary supplier (via Master Dealer agreement) and an indirect competitor through its own direct sales channels. The strategic relationship between the two is core to AES's go-to-market.
• Momentum Solar: National direct-to-consumer residential solar installer with a similar field-sales and consultation model. Competes with AES for the same Northern California homeowner segment but with a multi-state footprint and direct-hire sales force.
• Blue Raven Solar: National residential solar installer with a regional dealer/branch model similar in structure to AES. Comparable on in-house financing offerings and residential sales motion, but operating in many more states with centralized marketing.
• Tesla Energy: National residential and commercial solar, Powerwall, and EV charging provider. Direct overlap with AES on the Tesla Powerwall product line and solar+EV charger bundling, but with brand power, capital, and vertical integration no regional installer can match.

Direct peers

• Semper Solaris: California-based residential and commercial solar installer with a regional field-sales model and similar product breadth (solar, battery, roofing). Most directly comparable California-focused installer to AES in terms of customer profile and go-to-market.
• Baker Electric Home Energy: Southern California residential and commercial solar and battery installer founded in the 1930s. Operates a similar full-service regional installer model with a comparable mix of new construction, retrofit, and battery storage offerings.
• Lumio HX: Regional residential solar and home electrification installer operating across multiple U.S. states. Comparable to AES on residential field-sales model and solar + battery + EV charger product stack.
• Sullivan Solar Power: San Diego-based residential and commercial solar installer with strong NABCEP certification emphasis. Closely comparable to AES on regional installer footprint, in-house design/engineering capabilities, and certification-led differentiation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/aeschico
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alternative-energy-systems-inc

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Alternative Energy Systems