AltE
AltE is a U.S. e-retailer and authorized multi-brand distributor selling DIY solar panels, batteries, inverters, charge controllers, and mounting hardware, plus $99/hr technical support, to residential homeowners, off-grid users, and professional solar installers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersBoxborough, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What AltE does
AltE, legally Alternative Energy Store, LLC, is a U.S.-based e-retailer specializing in do-it-yourself (DIY) solar power and battery storage systems. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Boxborough, Massachusetts, with a distribution warehouse in Fullerton, California, the company sells 327+ products across solar panels, deep-cycle batteries (LFP and AGM), inverters (grid-tie, off-grid, and hybrid), charge controllers, and mounting hardware. Its catalog spans authorized distribution relationships with tier-one brands including Enphase, Briggs & Stratton, Fortress Power, Tigo, IronRidge, MidNite Solar, Hyundai, and Eaton, among others.
The business operates a hybrid go-to-market combining a self-serve e-commerce storefront (altestore.com) with a quote-based sales motion for complete system packages. Customers can complete an online energy questionnaire, request a personalized system design and quote, purchase individual components or pre-configured kits, and optionally add expert technical support billed at $99 per hour. Distribution is direct-to-consumer for the U.S. and Canada, with international shipping handled via a third-party distribution partner, plus a dedicated Solar Installer Partner Program serving professional installers. Supporting the storefront is a content-led marketing apparatus — a DIY Solar Resource Library, blog, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram channels — that drives organic top-of-funnel demand and reinforces the company's positioning as the "#1 online source for solar and battery storage systems, parts and education."
Revenue is generated primarily through one-time product sales (hardware margins typical of authorized distribution) plus modest professional-services revenue from technical support and system design. The company serves a fragmented mix of DIY homeowners, off-grid users seeking energy independence, residential battery-backup buyers, and professional installers, with no disclosed enterprise anchor customers. Ownership is private and independent (no parent, no disclosed VC/PE funding), and the company is led by Chairman and Co-Founder Sascha Deri.
AltE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AltE
- Legal name
- Alternative Energy Store, LLC
- Website
- https://altestore.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AltE is a U.S. e-retailer and authorized multi-brand distributor selling DIY solar panels, batteries, inverters, charge controllers, and mounting hardware, plus $99/hr technical support, to residential homeowners, off-grid users, and professional solar installers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AltE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Solar Power and Battery Storage Equipment
- NAICS
- Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)
- SIC
- Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Smart Energy Management (Meters, EV Chargers, Solar/Battery Monitors) Retail (CRACAGAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Home Energy & EV Charging (HEMS, Smart Meters, Batteries, Chargers) (HSAPAQAF), Power Electronics for Renewable & Grid-Tied Applications (Solar inverters, wind converters, grid-tie interfaces) (IMAGADAJ), SCADA/Telemetry, Data Integration & Device Connectivity for Storage/DER Control (EUAFAKAI)
Keywords
Where AltE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boxborough
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
AltE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Product Sales: Direct e-commerce sales of solar panels, batteries, inverters, charge controllers, mounting hardware, and other renewable energy components. Customers purchase individual components or complete system kits.
- Technical Support Services: Expert solar technical support services billed at $99 per hour for installation guidance, system design questions, and troubleshooting assistance.
- System Design and Quote Services: Custom system design and quoting services for complete solar and battery storage installations based on customer energy needs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Components |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Complete System Kits |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Expert Solar Technical Support |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
AltE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AltE (Alternative Energy Store) is an online retailer and integrator of DIY solar power and battery storage systems, selling solar panels, deep-cycle batteries, inverters, charge controllers, and mounting hardware from brands such as Enphase, Briggs & Stratton, Fortress Power, IronRidge, Tigo, MidNite Solar, and others. The company offers both individual components and pre-configured system packages (off-grid, grid-tie, and battery backup configurations), supported by expert technical support, energy questionnaires, and an educational resource library.
Product overview
AltE (Alternative Energy Store) is a DIY solar power and energy storage systems retailer and integrator, offering individual components and complete system packages. The product portfolio centers on solar photovoltaic systems with three main system types: Off-Grid Solar Power Systems (battery-based for remote locations), Grid-Tie Solar Power Systems (for bill reduction with net metering), and Battery Backup Solar Power Systems (grid-tied with energy storage for outage protection). Core product categories include Solar Panels, Solar Batteries (lithium and AGM), Solar Inverters, Charge Controllers, Solar Panel Mounts, and Hybrid Inverters. The company sells and supports branded product lines including Briggs & Stratton PHI and SimpliPHI batteries, Enphase microinverters and IQ Batteries, Tigo rapid shutdown and monitoring solutions, and IronRidge mounting hardware. Supporting services include a DIY Solar Resource Library with educational content and Expert Solar Technical Support for system design assistance. The company operates as a distributor, with products covered by original manufacturer warranties and technical support handled by respective manufacturers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Solar Panels Photovoltaic solar panels available in various wattages (e.g., Hyundai 410W, 435W/440W modules) and configurations including monocrystalline and multicrystalline technologies, sold to DIY homeowners and professional installers.
- Solar Batteries Deep-cycle energy storage batteries including lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and AGM options for off-grid and backup power applications, ranging from $360 to $3,985 per unit.
- Solar Inverters Inverters that convert DC power from solar panels to AC power for home use, including grid-tie, off-grid, and hybrid inverters, priced from $176 to $5,500.
- Charge Controllers Charge controllers that regulate battery charging from solar panels to prevent overcharging and maximize battery lifespan.
- Solar Panel Mounts Mounting hardware for securing solar panels including roof mounts, ground mounts, pole mounts, and metal roof mounting systems (IronRidge, Quick Mount PV, S-5!), priced from $2 to $165 per item.
- Hybrid Inverters Hybrid inverters that support both grid-tied and battery backup configurations for homes with energy storage needs.
- Off-Grid Solar Power Systems Complete off-grid solar power systems with battery storage configured for locations without utility grid access.
- Grid-Tie Solar Power Systems Solar power systems designed to reduce electric bills by generating electricity and selling excess back to the utility grid through net metering.
- Battery Backup Solar Power Systems Grid-tied solar systems with battery backup for power outage protection and energy independence.
- Solar Water Pumping Systems Solar-powered water pumping systems for remote areas, livestock, and crop irrigation applications.
- Expert Solar Technical Support One-hour expert technical support sessions billed at $99.00 per hour to help customers with solar system design, component selection, and installation questions.
- Solar Installer Partner Program Partner program for solar installers providing resources, support, and preferred pricing for professional installation services.
- DIY Solar Resource Library Educational resource library with articles, videos, solar maps, webinars, and system sizing calculators for DIY solar and renewable energy users.
Companies that use AltE
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
AltE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AltE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Enphase EnergycoreEnphase is a key brand partner for microinverters, batteries, and system controllers. AltE offers Enphase IQ8 microinverters, IQ Batteries (5P, 10C), IQ Combiners, and related accessories including cables, monitoring equipment, and rapid shutdown devices.
- Briggs & StrattoncoreBriggs & Stratton SimpliPHI and PHI batteries are sold through AltE including 3.8 kWh and 6.6 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery systems, controllers, and mounting brackets.
- Fortress PowercoreFortress Power eFlex battery systems and Envy inverters (8kW-12kW) are distributed through AltE for whole-home solar storage solutions.
- IronRidgecoreIronRidge supplies mounting hardware including roof mounts, ground mounts, pole mounts, and accessories. Over 37 IronRidge products available.
- TigocoreTigo provides rapid shutdown modules (TS4 series), cloud connect systems, and access points. Products include TS4-A-F, TS4-A-2F, TS4-A-S, and RSS transmitters.
- MidNite SolarcoreMidNite Solar supplies ground fault protectors, circuit breakers, and other electrical components. Over 125 MidNite Solar products available.
- International Shipping PartnerminorThird-party distribution facility partner for servicing international customers outside the US.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AltE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Northern Arizona Wind & Sun: Off-grid and renewable energy specialist retailer offering PV, wind, hydro, and balance-of-system components. Overlaps AltE's off-grid and education-driven value proposition.
- Battle Born Batteries: Lithium iron phosphate battery specialist selling direct to DIY solar/RV/marine customers. Comparable to AltE's deep batteries category and DIY customer base.
- Backwoods Solar: Long-established off-grid and remote-power solar retailer serving cabins, RVs, and off-grid homes. Comparable to AltE's Off-Grid Users segment with a similarly niche, education-heavy approach.
- Wholesale Solar: Online DIY solar retailer offering complete system kits, individual components, and design services. Highly comparable to AltE in product breadth, DIY focus, and e-commerce-led GTM, though with a stronger installer channel.
- Renogy: Vertically integrated solar and battery storage brand selling panels, lithium batteries, inverters, and charge controllers direct-to-consumer. Comparable product categories and DIY customer base as AltE, with stronger brand marketing and broader international reach.
- GoGreenSolar: Online retailer specializing in DIY grid-tie and off-grid solar kits with design and permitting support. Directly comparable in offering pre-configured kits plus components to homeowner DIY installers.
- ShopSolar.com: Digital-first solar retailer providing DIY kits, components, and installer-matching services. Competes with AltE in both DIY e-commerce and the bridge into professional installation.
Broad incumbents
- CED Greentech (Consolidated Electrical Distributors): Large US solar distribution arm serving professional installers with PV, inverters, racking, and balance-of-system from many brands. Competes with AltE on the Installer Partner Program side but at much larger scale and installer-only focus.
- Krannich Solar: International solar wholesaler with a broad multi-brand portfolio of modules, inverters, mounting, and storage. Comparable product mix to AltE but operates primarily B2B at much greater scale and geographic reach.
- AEE Solar (now part of Krannich Solar US): Established US solar distributor serving installers and dealers with multi-brand components. Comparable catalog breadth to AltE but operating at distribution scale with installer-led channels.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
AltE social profiles
Digital presenceAltE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AltE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
AltE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AltE 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 AltE
What does AltE do?
AltE (Alternative Energy Store) is an online retailer and integrator of DIY solar power and battery storage systems, selling solar panels, deep-cycle batteries, inverters, charge controllers, and mounting hardware from brands such as Enphase, Briggs & Stratton, Fortress Power, IronRidge, Tigo, MidNite Solar, and others. The company offers both individual components and pre-configured system packages (off-grid, grid-tie, and battery backup configurations), supported by expert technical support, energy questionnaires, and an educational resource library.
Is AltE a public or private company?
AltE is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was AltE founded?
AltE was founded in 1999. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AltE based?
AltE is headquartered in Boxborough, United States, in the North America region.
How does AltE make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are technical Support Services and system Design and Quote Services.
Who are AltE's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Northern Arizona Wind & Sun, Battle Born Batteries, Backwoods Solar, Wholesale Solar, Renogy, GoGreenSolar and ShopSolar.com. Broad incumbents are CED Greentech (Consolidated Electrical Distributors), Krannich Solar and AEE Solar (now part of Krannich Solar US).
Does AltE have an API?
No public API is recorded for AltE.
What industry is AltE in?
AltE's product category is Solar Power and Battery Storage Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACAGAI, Smart Energy Management (Meters, EV Chargers, Solar/Battery Monitors) Retail, with a secondary code of HSAPAQAF, Home Energy & EV Charging (HEMS, Smart Meters, Batteries, Chargers). Its NAICS code is 221114 and its SIC code is 3613.