Assisted by ASBTDC Lead Center at UA Little Rock
Consultant Nicolas Mayerhoeffer
Young Company Looks to Make Hay While the Sun Shines
The outlook is sunny for a young startup company specializing in renewable energy.
AEV Solar offers home and commercial solar products and installations, allowing customers to create their own power instead of buying electricity from a utility.
Based in Little Rock, the company is led by a team of three: Jaimin Vashi, electrical engineer; John Ekdahl, sales and construction; and Kevin Mach, software.
They contacted the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center in January 2018 to help them better understand their market and how to grow their sales and footprint.
The center’s Nicolas Mayerhoeffer helped them develop a robust marketing and sales plan and business plan. Detailed market research from ASBTDC told them more about their perfect customer.
“We have studied and applied the market research package he prepared for us to target the audience best suited to our services,” said Ekdahl.
Mayerhoeffer has “gone the extra mile to help us,” Ekdahl added, and the company appreciates “the careful attention you have given us in developing our marketing strategy…and teaching us the power of big data in the marketplace.”
As the company looks to grow, AEV Solar’s installation of 96 panels on the roof of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church has literally heightened awareness of renewable energy.
The church’s soaring rooftop can be seen across west Little Rock.
“We feel as though the seamless integration of solar into the existing architecture of St. Margaret’s demonstrates to local residents and business owners how attractive and effective renewable energy can be,” Ekdahl said.
At a capacity of 305 watts each, the panels will produce an estimated 32 megawatts annually. Rooftop solar panels require little to no maintenance, other than an annual cleaning. They last 25 to 35 years.
Solar tax credits allow homeowners and businesses to deduct a portion of their solar costs from their federal taxes. The company also offers financing options.
“We have leveraged contacts provided by Nicolas to establish a financing partnership with two banks for our clients,” Ekdahl said.
As a young company, AEV Solar is looking to make a name for itself in central Arkansas. Mayerhoeffer and ASBTDC’s assistance “was crucial in understanding the foundation of who we are as a company,” said Ekdahl.
