One of the worst traits of humankind is our reliance on fossil fuels and the incessant depletion of non renewable resources. There are many alternatives and yet the majority of the world still acquires energy using practices which are causing irreversible damage to the earth, the people, the land, the air and the water. The exploitation of natural resources and reliance on coal powered plants and nuclear energy plants will lead to a dismal future if solution based renewable energy systems are not replaced as the norm.
Introducing Aur Beck
Luckily, individuals like Aur Beck are shedding light on the easy transition to choosing renewable energy. My dear friend, Aur ‘da energy mon’ Beck, has been immersed in the growing field of renewable energy since he was a teenager. In 1990 at age 15, after independently researching solar energy, Aur moved into a 12 volt, battery operated camper in his parents’ driveway.
Aur translates as “light” or “to enlighten” in both Hebrew and Latin, a perfect name for a solar energy expert. According to Aur, “reading profusely and consistently tinkering with Renewable Energy (RE) has been a continuous constant throughout my life. Never officially attending school left me time to do in depth study, intern, view, and install renewable energy projects. Of course, working in one of the first United States passive solar schools helped.”
The Power of One
Aur is the president, chief tech, and coordinator of the Renewable Energy Install Network (Green Geek Squad) for Advanced Energy Solutions. Since 1999, he has been putting his knowledge to great use promoting, installing, & educating about renewable energy.
Aur has made significant contributions to Solar Energy in recent years. Aur sheds his light in many ways:
Founder and on the board for both the Illinois Renewable Energy Association and the Southern Illinois Center for a Sustainable Future
Started Oil Addicts Anonymous International
Hosts a weekly radio talk show called Your Community Spirit
AESsolar won the “Missouri Schools Going Solar” contract in 2005 and assisted with the sale and installation of 17 school systems
January 2007, trained presenter for Al Gore’s Climate Project
Based on the vast knowledge base Aur has in the field of renewable energy, he was invited to join the Midwest Solar Training Network (a DOE program) and to become an adjunct professor at Hocking Energy Institute in Logan, Ohio
Aur grew up on the family farm in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest, in an off-the-grid, solar-electric-powered home which makes it very easy to advocate for a life of simpler living, energy efficiency and renewable energy. Aur came up with and definitely lives by Advanced Energy Solutions slogan: We Empower YOU to Get Energized!
Dedication to Sustainable Living
I have been impressed with Aurs dedication to sustainable living and renewable energy since I first met him in 2000. One of Aurs most notable accomplishments in the last few years was being hand selected and invited to teach a semester of Solar PV Design and Installation by Neil Hinton, the Dean of the School of Engineering and Information Technology of the Hocking College Energy Institute in Nelsonville Ohio. This is impressive in light of the fact that Aur hasn’t been through any formal schooling whatsoever. He has no degree but he is a living breathing encyclopedia of all things solar. Aurs ability to confidently teach at a college level with no formal training is very inspiring. Not only does it encourage others to follow their dreams but it also offers a bit of insight into just how powerful it is to be passionate about what you do in life sans a degree.
At the Energy Institute, Aur inspired students by his minds on/ hands on teaching methods. He tested their knowledge initially to try and fill in the knowledge gaps throughout the semester. He gave them useful and practical knowledge which can actually be related to real world applications.
The reason he was selected to teach is due, in part, to him being double NABCEP certified. Helping students in the program taking The NABCEP, (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) Entry Level knowledge test was his primary goal.
Inspiration is cyclical. Renewable energy can reshape the future.
Advanced Energy Solutions
To learn more about Aur and his company, please visit his website. Advanced Energy Solutions offers:
Solar and Wind Generated Electricity
Energy Efficiency
Utility-Tied/Net Metered or Off-Grid Systems
System Design
System and Component Sales
Installation
On-site Consulting and Electric Load Analysis
Follow-up on Technical Assistance and Service
Training from Basic to Advanced hands installation
Training Programs-designing & installing hands on training labs
Aur also manages a living off-grid Facebook group.