Under President Biden, in 2022, the US government set ambitious renewable energy goals for the next decade; the plan is to reach 80% renewable energy generation by 2030 and cross the 100% threshold by 2035. Currently, 79% of energy production in the United States comes from fossil fuels. In such a short amount of time - just over 10 years - changing the energy landscape can seem like an impossible goal. Luckily, there are many ways to start making progress. Solar power, wind power, and nuclear power are all renewable energy options, but experts are vocal about one hurdle that will require some work: long-term energy storage.
For Ana Ahmed, the founder of Acorn Energy Solutions (AES), energy storage was introduced to her at a young age. Growing up in Bangladesh, Ana experienced power outages regularly. There weren't enough energy sources to keep the grid up and running all the time and people felt the negative impacts on a daily basis. At the time, she learned about backup power supply that would prepare her for future endeavors.
After completing her Master's in Electrical Engineering, Ana took a special interest in solar energy and energy storage. She enrolled in an intensive solar training program where she got to work on residential and commercial solar installations and immersed herself into the field. Her further experience at a New York City-based engineering firm and solar company, where she got to combine her background and passions, equipped her to design and build unique solar solutions for different clients.
In 2019, Ana was ready to take the opportunity and utilize her expertise to start Acorn Energy Solutions (AES). AES focuses on providing customized renewable energy solutions for homes and businesses, serving as a one-stop shop for local homeowners and business leaders. AES services the community allowing them to contribute to large renewable energy goals for the US. In the last two years, during the pandemic and struggling through supply chain shortages, AES has been able to install/commission more than 1MW solar PV systems for residential and commercial customers.
At AES, Ana and her team design, install, troubleshoot, and build Photovoltaic systems for their clients. These solutions are completely tailored to each client's needs, setting them apart from solar companies that rush their time and only offer standard systems with little or no customization options. From start to finish, AES helps its clients define their energy goals and builds solutions that are aligned with individual targets.
To further support the country on its journey toward green energy, AES also designs innovative energy storage solutions which will act as a catalyst for long-term, large-scale renewable energy adoption. Without sophisticated energy storage solutions, the positive impact of renewable energy will only go so far. Aiming to build up the industry and cultivate a deep stack of professionals, AES offers training programs for their new and existing renewable energy professionals.
As AES prepares to enter the energy market in more states, Ana is prioritizing energy storage services with streamlined design and permitting processes. Although there are other key players in the renewable energy race like Sun Run and Tesla, these corporate entities often treat their customers like a number, failing to create solutions that work for everyone. At AES, every customer is treated like the only customer. Personal communication and support at every stage of the installation is a key part of AES operations but hard to come by when working with other providers.
For residential customers and commercial customers alike, AES is making the future of renewable energy more accessible, sustainable, and customizable. As the US and the rest of the world enter a new era of environmental responsibility, renewable energy and storage will be the center of many discussions. It's places like AES that can turn lofty government goals into real, tangible results.
