Big Dog Solar
Big Dog Solar is a Mountain West solar installer founded in 2008 that designs, sells, and installs grid-tied PV systems, battery storage, and standby generators for residential, commercial, and agricultural customers across Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersPocatello, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Big Dog Solar does
Big Dog Solar, founded in 2008 and headquartered in Pocatello, Idaho, is a privately held solar energy installer serving residential, commercial, and agricultural customers across the Mountain West (Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming). The company designs, sells, and installs grid-tied solar photovoltaic systems with optional battery storage (Tesla Powerwall 3 and Franklin WH Power2) and whole-home standby generators (Generac Guardian and Cummins QuietConnect), supported by an AI-assisted satellite-imagery quoting tool and 24/7 system monitoring. It operates five regional installation hubs and a field sales force of more than 100 verified representatives, supplemented by an authorized Dealer Partner Program for third-party contractors, and has completed more than 16,000 installations since inception. Big Dog Solar monetizes installations through three pricing structures: 100% upfront ownership purchase, Lease-to-Own with an instant 30% rebate and 6-year ownership transfer (available in Idaho, Utah, and Colorado), and a Zero-Down Power Purchase Agreement (Colorado only). The upfront-purchase and one-time hardware installation streams constitute transactional revenue, while the Lease-to-Own and PPA structures introduce a multi-year recurring revenue component tied to electricity production and customer payment obligations. The company helps customers claim the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit and reports facilitating more than $64 million in federal tax incentives across its customer base, with rebate programs on batteries (e.g., $500 per Tesla Powerwall 3, up to $1,000 total) layered on top. Big Dog Solar is a subsidiary of the Big Dog parent company, which was established in 1998 with Big Dog Security and later expanded into satellite services before founding the solar division in 2008.
Big Dog Solar firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Big Dog Solar
- Legal name
- Big Dog Solar
- Website
- https://bigdogsolar.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Big Dog Solar is a Mountain West solar installer founded in 2008 that designs, sells, and installs grid-tied PV systems, battery storage, and standby generators for residential, commercial, and agricultural customers across Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Big Dog Solar industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Residential Solar Installation
- NAICS
- Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Utility System Construction (2371)
- SIC
- Electrical Work (1731), General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System) (EUAMABAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Solar Roofing & Roof-Mounted PV Systems (IMADAFAO), PV Balance of System (BOS) & Electrical Infrastructure (Inverters, Transformers, Cabling, Substations) (EUACAGAC)
Keywords
Where Big Dog Solar is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pocatello
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Big Dog Solar business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Solar Panel System Sales and Installation: Full system sales including solar panels, inverters, mounting equipment, and professional installation. Customers can purchase outright or finance. Includes roof or ground mount configurations for residential, commercial, and agricultural properties.
- Battery Backup Installation: Installation of whole-home backup batteries including Tesla Powerwall 3 and Franklin WH Power2 batteries. Can be added to existing solar systems or installed as standalone backup power.
- Backup Generator Installation: Installation of whole-home standby generators (Generac Guardian, Cummins QuietConnect) powered by LP/Natural Gas for automatic backup power during outages.
- Lease-to-Own Financing: Lease-to-own program with instant 30% rebate applied to overall system cost, with ownership transfer in 6 years. Available in Idaho, Utah, and Colorado.
- PPA (Power Purchase Agreement): Zero down / low monthly payment option where customers pay for electricity generated at locked-in rates. Available in Colorado.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 100% Ownership - Full system purchase |
| Hybrid | Multi-year contract | Lease-to-Own with 30% Instant Savings |
| Subscription | Monthly | Zero Down PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Tesla Powerwall 3 Battery |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Franklin WH Power2 Battery |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Big Dog Solar product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Big Dog Solar is a regional solar installation company that designs, sells, and installs photovoltaic (PV) solar systems, battery storage solutions, and standby generators for residential, commercial, and agricultural customers in the Mountain West (Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming). Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Pocatello, Idaho, the company offers multiple financing pathways including 100% ownership, lease-to-own, and zero-down Power Purchase Agreements (PPA).
Product overview
Big Dog Solar is a residential and commercial solar energy installation company offering a comprehensive portfolio of solar and backup power solutions. The core offering consists of Grid Tie Solar Systems (connected to the electrical grid with net metering), complemented by battery backup options including Tesla Powerwall 3 and Franklin WH batteries, plus whole-home standby generators from Generac. The company serves residential, commercial, and agricultural segments across Idaho, Montana, Colorado, and Utah. Customers can purchase systems outright, finance through a Lease To Own option with 30% instant savings, or opt for a Zero Down PPA arrangement. All installations are performed by in-house teams with 10-25 year warranties on equipment and workmanship.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Residential Solar Installation
- Commercial Solar Installation
- Agricultural Solar Installation
- Battery Backup Systems
- Standby Generator Installation
- Solar Financing Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- Saves approximately $300/month for commercial businesses plus minimal home electricity costs
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Big Dog Solar
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Big Dog Solar technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Big Dog Solar partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Tesla (Powerwall 3)coreTesla Powerwall 3 is a primary battery storage product offered by Big Dog Solar. Features include 13.5 kWh capacity, 11.5kW continuous output, 10-year warranty, expandable up to 10 units. Currently offering $500 rebate per battery (up to $1,000 total) plus 30% instant discount.
- Franklin WH (Power2 Battery)coreFranklin WH Power2 is an alternative battery storage option offered by Big Dog Solar. Features include 15 kWh capacity, 10kW continuous output, 15-year warranty, expandable up to 15 batteries for maximum energy storage.
- Generac (Guardian Series)coreGenerac Guardian series standby generators are offered as whole-home backup power solutions. Models include RS20ACE (20kW capacity, 5-year warranty, operates in temps from 122°F to -40°F) and Guardian 7291 (26kW peak power).
- Cummins (QuietConnect)coreCummins QuietConnect generators are offered as smart, connected whole-home backup power systems with mobile app monitoring for real-time status, runtime history, and power consumption tracking.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Big Dog Solar competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Sunrun: Sunrun is the largest U.S. residential solar installer with national coverage, lease and PPA products, and a direct-to-consumer sales model — directly comparable to Big Dog Solar's residential solar + storage + financing offering, though at vastly larger scale.
- Tesla Energy: Tesla Energy sells solar panels, Solar Roof, and Powerwall directly to consumers and through certified installers, with vertically-integrated hardware. Directly comparable to Big Dog's solar + Powerwall 3 bundle and a key upstream partner/supplier simultaneously.
Direct peers
- ADT Solar (formerly Sunpro Solar): ADT Solar is a national residential solar installer offering ownership, loan, and PPA financing — a direct competitor to Big Dog's residential solar + financing model, with similar in-home consultation and direct-sales motion.
- Blue Raven Solar: Blue Raven Solar is a fast-growing national residential solar installer with a BluePower Plus financing program and direct-sales model — closely comparable to Big Dog's lease-to-own and direct-to-consumer residential GTM.
- Momentum Solar: Momentum Solar is a national residential solar installer with in-house installation crews and a direct-sales motion — a direct functional peer to Big Dog's vertically-integrated, in-house design-and-install model.
- Trinity Solar: Trinity Solar is one of the largest privately-held U.S. residential solar installers operating primarily in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, with a direct-sales model and in-house installation — comparable in business model and operating philosophy to Big Dog.
- Freedom Forever: Freedom Forever is a national residential solar installer with a 25-year production guarantee and direct-sales motion — directly comparable to Big Dog's warranty structure and residential GTM.
Regional players
- Namaste Solar: Namaste Solar is a Colorado-based employee-owned residential and commercial solar installer with a regional Mountain West footprint — directly comparable in geography, ownership philosophy, and customer mix to Big Dog's Colorado operations.
- Independent Power Systems (IPS Solar): IPS Solar is a Colorado-based installer offering residential, commercial, and off-grid solar — a regional peer operating in adjacent Mountain West territory with similar product breadth (PV + battery + off-grid).
Others
- Enphase Energy: Enphase is a leading manufacturer of solar microinverters and battery systems widely used by Big Dog Solar. It is an ecosystem/equipment supplier rather than a direct competitor, but its product roadmap directly shapes Big Dog's installation economics and technology stack.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Big Dog Solar social profiles
Digital presenceBig Dog Solar financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Big Dog Solar leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Big Dog Solar funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Big Dog Solar M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Big Dog Solar
What does Big Dog Solar do?
Big Dog Solar is a regional solar installation company that designs, sells, and installs photovoltaic (PV) solar systems, battery storage solutions, and standby generators for residential, commercial, and agricultural customers in the Mountain West (Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming). Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Pocatello, Idaho, the company offers multiple financing pathways including 100% ownership, lease-to-own, and zero-down Power Purchase Agreements (PPA).
Is Big Dog Solar a public or private company?
Big Dog Solar is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Big Dog Solar founded?
Big Dog Solar was founded in 2008. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Big Dog Solar based?
Big Dog Solar is headquartered in Pocatello, United States, in the North America region.
How does Big Dog Solar make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Solar Panel System Sales and Installation is the primary driver. The others are battery Backup Installation, backup Generator Installation, lease-to-Own Financing and PPA (Power Purchase Agreement).
Who are Big Dog Solar's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Sunrun and Tesla Energy. Direct peers are ADT Solar (formerly Sunpro Solar), Blue Raven Solar, Momentum Solar, Trinity Solar and Freedom Forever. Regional players are Namaste Solar and Independent Power Systems (IPS Solar). Enphase Energy is listed as an others.
Does Big Dog Solar have an API?
No public API is recorded for Big Dog Solar.
What industry is Big Dog Solar in?
Big Dog Solar's product category is Residential Solar Installation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMABAB, Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System), with a secondary code of IMADAFAO, Solar Roofing & Roof-Mounted PV Systems. Its NAICS code is 221114 and its SIC code is 1731.