Backwoods Solar Electric Systems

What Backwoods Solar Electric Systems does

Backwoods Solar Electric Systems is a privately held, specialty renewable energy equipment retailer headquartered in Sandpoint, Idaho, founded in 1976 and self-described as America's oldest renewable energy retailer. The company sells solar modules, MPPT/PWM charge controllers, sinewave and grid-tie inverters, lithium and lead-acid batteries, mounting hardware, balance-of-system electrical components, wind turbines with towers, micro-hydro turbines, solar-direct water pumps, RV solar kits, and portable power stations, sourced from brands such as Victron, Outback, Midnite, Qcells, Longi, Heliene, Grundfos, Dankoff, PowerSpout, Ryse Energy, and Anker SOLIX. Rather than offering pre-packaged kits, Backwoods differentiates through free one-on-one custom system design and lifetime technical support, leveraging staff who personally live off-grid using the products they sell.

The business operates a direct-to-consumer Shopify storefront supplemented by a dealer/wholesale program for installers and resellers, with cross-border sales into Canada (BC and Saskatchewan) documented in customer stories. Customers are primarily residential off-grid homeowners, RV/mobile users, and select commercial and institutional buyers; repeat-customer relationships spanning a decade or more indicate a sticky base despite transactional, hardware-sales economics. Revenue is generated through one-time equipment sales and wholesale dealer pricing, with design and technical support provided free of charge as a customer-acquisition and retention layer rather than as a paid service line.

The company is operating, independent, and shows no signs of external institutional ownership, M&A activity, or capital raises; the operating model is essentially a long-running, founder/family-owned specialty retailer with a small staff (11–50 employees) and a deep content/education library built over five decades. Recent moves are incremental rather than transformational, including the addition of portable power stations, a Backwoods Bargains discount sub-brand, and modest product-line extensions into wind, micro-hydro, and water pumping.

Name

Backwoods Solar Electric Systems

Legal name

Backwoods Solar

Website

https://backwoodssolar.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Backwoods Solar Electric Systems is a privately held Idaho-based renewable energy equipment retailer founded in 1976, serving residential off-grid, RV, and small commercial customers with customized solar, wind, micro-hydro, battery, and water-pump systems via a Shopify storefront and dealer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Equipment Retail

NAICS

Outdoor Power Equipment Retailers (44423)

SIC

Retail-Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply (5200)

akta.pro primary industry

Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro) (EUACALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Solar Inverters, Power Electronics & MLPE (String/Central Inverters, Optimizers, Microinverters) (EUAMABAE), Distributed Storage (Behind-the-Meter Batteries) (EUAMAJAE), Solar Mounting, Racking, Trackers & Structural BOS Manufacturing (EUAMAHAC)

Keywords

• Off-grid solar systems
• Renewable energy equipment
• Solar panel retail
• Custom solar design
• Wind and micro-hydro turbines

Headquarters

HQ city

Sandpoint

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Solar Equipment Sales: Direct sales of solar panels, wind turbines, micro-hydro turbines, charge controllers, inverters, batteries, mounting systems, wiring, and balance-of-system components to end customers and dealers. One-time hardware purchases with no recurring fees.
2. System Design Consultation: Free system design consultation included with product purchases. Staff works one-on-one with customers to design customized renewable energy systems tailored to their property and energy needs.
3. Technical Support Services: Lifetime technical support provided to customers, including phone consultations, troubleshooting, and guidance throughout installation and operation of systems.
4. Dealer/Wholesale Program: Wholesale pricing program for installers and resellers who repeatedly purchase and install renewable energy products. Dealers handle customer service while Backwoods provides system design support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Backwoods Solar Electric Systems is a specialized renewable energy retailer that designs and sells customized off-grid and grid-tie solar, wind, and micro-hydro power systems. Rather than selling pre-packaged kits, the company supplies individual components—solar modules, charge controllers, inverters, batteries, mounting systems, wiring, water pumps, and balance-of-system parts—paired with free custom system design and lifetime technical support. Products are sold direct-to-consumer via a Shopify storefront and through a wholesale dealer program for installers and resellers.

Product overview

Backwoods Solar Electric Systems is a specialized retailer of renewable energy equipment founded in 1976, offering a comprehensive portfolio of hardware components for off-grid and grid-tie solar systems. Rather than selling pre-packaged kits, the company provides custom-designed solar power system plans tailored to individual property needs and budgets. The product lineup centers on solar modules (from Longi, Qcells, Heliene, Mission Solar), MPPT/PWM charge controllers (Victron, Outback, Midnite, Morningstar), sine wave and hybrid inverters (Victron, Midnite Power), and energy storage batteries (Eclipse LiFePO4, Surrette, Trojan). Supporting components include mounts and racks (Tamarack), electrical panels and disconnects (Midnite E-Panels), water pumps (Grundfos, Dankoff), wind turbines with towers (Ryse), micro-hydro systems (PowerSpout), and portable power stations (Anker SOLIX). RV-specific solutions are available through pre-configured 200W-600W solar charging kits. The company differentiates through free system design consultation and lifetime technical support, with all staff living off-grid using the products they sell.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Solar Modules/Panels
• Mounts & Racks
• Solar Wiring
• RV Solar Kits
• Wind Towers
• Microhydro Turbines
• Charge Controllers
• Inverters
• Grid-Tie Inverters
• Portable Power Stations
• E-Panels
• Pre-Built Power Centers
• Batteries
• Breakers, Fuses & Boxes
• Water Pumps
• Submersible Pumps
• LED Lighting
• DC Ceiling Fans
• Backwoods Bargains
• Dealer/Wholesale Program
• Custom System Design & Lifetime Technical Support

Quantifiable outcome

• 50 years in business since 1976
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Renogy: Renogy is one of the largest direct-to-consumer solar and renewable energy equipment retailers, offering solar panels, charge controllers, inverters, batteries, and portable power stations. Directly comparable to Backwoods Solar in product mix and customer base, with stronger brand awareness and broader marketing budget.
• Missouri Wind and Solar: Missouri Wind and Solar is a US-based retailer specializing in off-grid solar and wind power equipment, including panels, turbines, controllers, and battery banks. Directly comparable niche focus and small specialist retailer profile.
• Wholesale Solar: Wholesale Solar is a specialist solar equipment retailer selling panels, inverters, batteries, and complete systems to DIY and installer customers. Direct peer to Backwoods Solar in product category, customer profile, and online-led sales model.
• Northern Arizona Wind & Sun: Northern Arizona Wind & Sun is a long-established solar and wind equipment retailer focused on off-grid and remote power systems. Highly comparable to Backwoods Solar in customer niche (off-grid/remote), multi-technology product mix (solar/wind), and educational, expert-driven service approach.
• altE Store (Solar Electric Supply): altE is a long-standing online retailer of solar and renewable energy equipment, offering panels, inverters, charge controllers, and balance-of-system components with technical support. Closely comparable to Backwoods Solar in target customer (DIY off-grid and grid-tie), product range, and service-oriented retail model.

Emerging players

• Battle Born Batteries: Battle Born Batteries is a US-based LiFePO4 battery manufacturer with direct-to-consumer sales targeting the off-grid, RV, and marine markets. Overlaps with Backwoods Solar's battery category and customer segments, but operates as a manufacturer-brand rather than multi-brand retailer.
• Goal Zero: Goal Zero is a leading portable solar and power station brand, selling panels, battery generators, and integrated kits to outdoor and off-grid consumers. Comparable to Backwoods Solar's RV and portable power product line, though focused on portable rather than whole-home systems.
• EcoFlow: EcoFlow is a fast-growing portable power station and solar panel brand serving off-grid, RV, and home backup markets. Comparable to Backwoods Solar in portable power and increasingly in residential backup; represents a more digitally-native, well-capitalized competitor.

Broad incumbents

• The Home Depot: Home Depot carries solar panels, inverters, batteries, and portable power stations through its stores and online. As a broad incumbent, it competes with Backwoods Solar on convenience and price for entry-level DIY customers, though it lacks specialist off-grid expertise.
• Amazon: Amazon is a major distribution channel for solar panels, charge controllers, inverters, and portable power stations from many of the same brands Backwoods Solar carries. Represents the primary commoditization threat, competing on price and speed rather than service or custom design.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/backwoodssolar
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@BackwoodsSolarElectric
• Facebookfacebook.com/BackwoodsSolar
• Instagraminstagram.com/backwoods.solar?igsh=MjljeDdoYXZhb2g=

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Backwoods Solar Electric Systems