Steve and Elizabeth Willey started BACKWOODS SOLAR ELECTRIC SYSTEMS as a home-based business in 1976, after successfully pioneering the use of photovoltaics for their own mountain home, two miles from utility lines. They happily helped their neighbors get solar panels for homes that needed off-grid power and wanted to help others too.
Both home and business were 100% powered by the time tested equipment described in the catalog: 85% by the sun, with wind and a back-up generator covering the balance in snowy winter months. In 2004, Steve and Elizabeth retired, and David Katz and Scott Gentleman took over the company. They moved the business out of the home to a facility just a couple of miles down the road.
Both home and business were 100% powered by the time tested equipment described in the catalog: 85% by the sun, with wind and a back-up generator covering the balance in snowy winter months. In 2004, Steve and Elizabeth retired, and David Katz and Scott Gentleman took over the company. They moved the business out of the home to a facility just a couple of miles down the road.
Services
For more than 40 years, Backwoods Solar has sold customized renewable energy equipment. We sell: solar panels (also called solar modules), wind turbines, micro-hydro turbines, all balance of system components, custom-built solar panel system kits and custom-designed solar power system plans. We know the solar energy components we sell because we live with these solar products in our homes.
The Backwoods Solar Planning Guide & Catalog is not only a comprehensive guide to our products and services, it's a handy reference tool and an incredible resource for anyone interested in off-grid home solar, micro-hydro, and wind power systems. You'll find detailed product information, as well as design, technical planning, educational and reference information for all your questions about renewable off-grid power systems and solar energy.
We love to help people learn about off-grid living and educate them about off-grid power systems, solar panels and how it all works together to power your home or business. These articles answer some of the more common questions we receive so it's a great place to start or refresh your knowledge. If you have any other questions or if you're ready to get started on a system quote, please give us a call 208-263-4290.
Off-Grid Solar Array Sizing Once you've determined your daily energy consumption in watt-hours, follow the advice offered below. There are many methods used. Off-Grid Battery Sizing Worksheet We suggest a battery bank sized to provide enough energy for three days of energy consumption without any. Off-Grid Load Calculation Worksheet Start by finding how many watts each appliance will consume.
Once you've determined your daily energy consumption in watt-hours, follow the advice offered below. There are many methods used for calculating your system's solar array size. This insures that the system will give the power needed on the lowest sun production day and any other day will exceed this output.
Reviews (6)
Kestrel Craft
Nov 16, 2021
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10 Years of working with these guys, and they are knowledgeable, service oriented, reliable, professional, and all around great to work with. Tech advice and help with DIY is excellent. With them on the phone I installed my own 7kw off grid system, repaired an inverter, mastered charging, and well, just can't say enough good things about them all.
Brett Travelling Troll
Sep 30, 2021
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Lynn Aldridge
Sep 15, 2021
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I live in a camper, which replaced the old motorhome I've been in for the last 7 years. I moved my solar panels to the new rig, but decided to upgrade to a lithium battery (from the old AGM's) because my new rig is tiny and I don't have room or weight capacity for the old batteries (6 batteries, 400 lbs vs. 1 lithium battery, 100 lb.). Backwoods Solar has been around for at least 20 years here in northern Idaho...20 years ago I spoke with them about putting solar on my house (I couldn't afford it at the time, so nothing came of that), so I called them to consult about components. They advised me
J.-Gnome At Home
Sep 10, 2020
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Great prices if you are capable of connecting this stuff yourself. Better off going to a company that will install the product as this one does not and will not help you find someone who does. I'm disabled and have a limited income. So took a LONG TIME TO SAVE!!!! To help eleveate bills. Well, putting the panels on the roof was one thing. But from there even with the confusing as wire diagram. We can't do the rest. Spent $6,000 on batteries alone. They have sat for 6 months cause I can't get the help needed. From local certified electricians, to local handimen. Have contacted everyone in a 60 miles
Howard Laeson
Aug 18, 2020
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The people that backwoods solar electric have been wonderful to us.they've been very informative have offered to help with any advice needed once we get ready to set things up. They took the time to figure out what package was best for my wife and I. So far we really like the people there and look forward to getting this hooked up and maybe coming back for another one.
Tori Helms
Oct 15, 2019
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