03/11/2026
🌟 Chamber Business Spotlight: AES Solar 🌟
1. Tell us about your business and what inspired you to start it.
AES Solar has been serving Southern Illinois since 1999, designing and installing residential and commercial solar systems. The company was founded by Aur Beck, who still serves as our chief technical leader more than 26 years later. That continuity matters.
I (Shariff Shakir) joined AES Solar about seven years ago. I’m a Southern Illinois native and earned my bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 2005. I started in the solar industry in sales and worked my way into leadership, and today I serve as CEO. I’m passionate about carrying forward the mission of AES Solar — to energize people with solar power — and doing it in a way that reflects professionalism, integrity, and commitment to our community.
2. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned since starting your business that other business owners should know?
Every problem needs a system.
If something goes wrong once, it will likely happen again — whether it’s operational, financial, or customer-related. Instead of treating issues as one-time events, we build processes to prevent them, predict them, or manage them better next time.
That mindset has helped us stay stable in an industry that changes constantly. Systems don’t eliminate challenges, but they give you control, consistency, and accountability.
3. What sets your business apart, and how have community connections (including the Chamber) helped you grow?
What sets AES Solar apart is depth of experience and technical capability.
We’re not just a solar sales company. We have IBEW electricians on staff, engineering leadership in-house, and more than two decades of hands-on experience in this region. In addition to solar, we install batteries, EV chargers, service upgrades, generators, and portable generator connections. We understand the electrical system as a whole — not just one component of it.
Being part of the Chamber has strengthened that foundation. We’ve energized fellow Chamber businesses, partnered with other members for services we need, and relied on the network to help spread the word about what we’re doing. The Chamber isn’t just a directory — it’s a community of people who support one another.
4. What’s one thing you wish the community knew about your business?
I wish more people understood the breadth of what we do and the level of care that goes into each project.
When people hear “solar,” they often think it’s just panels on a roof. In reality, we design complete energy systems — solar, batteries, EV charging, generator integration, and electrical upgrades — all engineered to work safely and reliably for decades.
We approach projects from an engineering perspective. We think through risks, long-term performance, and future flexibility. That level of planning isn’t always visible, but it makes a difference over the life of a system.
5. How has networking with other Chamber members opened new opportunities for you?
Chamber networking has created real working relationships for us.
For example, some of our service providers — including communication and support vendors — came from connections built through Chamber involvement. When we need something, we often know exactly who to call because we’ve already built that relationship.
The workshops and events have also been valuable. They’ve allowed us to sharpen skills outside our day-to-day technical work and stay connected to the broader business community.
6. Bonus: What advice would you give to a new business considering joining the Chamber?
You get out of it what you put into it.
Joining the Chamber is a good first step, but the real value comes from showing up. Attend events. Introduce yourself. Join a committee. Volunteer. Run for a board position when the opportunity is there.
I’ve served on the board of the Carterville Chamber, and that experience helped me grow as a leader in ways that don’t happen inside your own company. It builds relationships, perspective, and trust — and those things matter in business.
☀️ Learn more about AES Solar or get started on your own energy solution:
📍 1804 Supply Rd., Carterville, IL 62918
📞 (618) 988-0888
🌐 aessolar.com
📧 [email protected]
