Tim Madeiros has been on a mission for the past three years to help customers reduce their energy costs and do his bit for the environment following the launch of his company Alternative Energy Systems (AES).

Established in January 2008, the company, which is Bermudian-owned, run by a team of four and based in Pembroke, focuses on providing micro-renewable, non-polluting energy systems, including photovoltaic and solar thermal applications.

AES, which claims to be the only company in Bermuda offering the complete package in-house required to design, install, upgrade and maintain micro-renewable solar power systems for residential, commercial and industrial purposes, carries some of the most advanced products available on the market from SunPower, Sanyo, Enphase, GE Ecomagination, BP Solar, Shuco, SunRay, Urban Green Energy and SunWize Technologies.

The company's biggest project to date was being awarded the contract by Lindo's Group of Companies to engineer, design, supply and install a 210,000 watt solar energy system, incorporating 882 SunPower panels, to generate electricity at the supermarket chain's stores in Devonshire and Warwick. According to an AES estimate, Lindo's — which is the first business to adopt large-scale renewable energy on the Island — stands to save almost $145,000 annually on its electricity bill.

It has also installed dozens of residential solar panel and thermal hot water systems, as well as DC pool pumps across the country.

AES's main aim, according to Mr. Madeiros, is to provide and install environmentally, socially and financially sustainable, and reliable products while cutting Bermuda's reliance on fossil fuels and thus offsetting its carbon footprint.

Testament to his work, Mr. Madeiros and AES were shortlisted as finalists for the 2009 SunPower Intelegant Award for SunPower solar installations in the home and business and for exemplifying SunPower's commitment to excellence.

Working closely with its customers through the process of selecting, buying and installing micro-renewable energy systems, the company also helps with the required agreements and planning applications, from the initial site evaluation to choosing and purchasing the right product(s) and implementing the technology, all based on their needs and budget.

Internationally certified installers will meet with the client on-site to determine the most efficient and least obtrusive position for the system, taking into account a number of factors, and AES will draw up a proposal detailing the best option, in addition to the estimated monthly savings that can be made on their Belco bills, followed by a full installation and inspection which causes the least disruption to the user.

AES's leading products include SunPower panels, which produce the most power of all the solar panels currently available on the market at 50 percent more than their nearest competitor, with a world record in power and efficiency and a 10-year guarantee on the panels and workmanship and a 25-year guarantee on performance.

"In Bermuda, where space is at a premium it is important to get the highest output product that you can," said Mr. Madeiros.

The Shuco solar thermal system collects, stores and uses the heat from sunshine to generate hot water for most applications, with two or three collectors able to supply all of the hot water needs for an average family on a sunny day while helping to cut utility bills, as well as being integrated with photovoltaic products. Mr. Madeiros, who himself boasts a wealth of experience in his field, completed his apprenticeship as an electrician in the early 1990s and joined Belco in 1987 as an electrical fitter, prior to graduating with a first class honours Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronic Engineering from Oxford Brookes University and a Master of Science degree in Communication and Radio Engineering from King's College, London.

A Chartered Engineer with the UK Council of Engineering in 2007 and an active member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology in London, he looks to provide the best customer service in order to maintain the company's competitive edge and is of the view that competition is healthy, particularly in light of the batch of new businesses that have just started up in the industry.

"So far I am the market leader," he said. "I have got the most systems installed in terms of kilowatts and volume.

"It is a lucrative industry and this is going to be another industry where everyone can participate."

Further information is available by contacting 505-0804, emailing tim.madeiros@aes.bm">tim.madeiros@aes.bm or visiting the website at www.aes.bm