Alaska Solar has been installing solar energy systems in one of the most challenging climates in the country for over three decades. Founded in the early 1990s and headquartered in Anchorage, they were among the first companies in the state to take residential solar seriously at a time when most people assumed panels simply would not work this far north.
What earned Alaska Solar the top spot in our rankings is their depth of experience with long winter conditions and extreme seasonal daylight variation. Their team designs systems specifically optimized for the high-latitude sun angles that Alaska presents, and they have refined their mounting and racking solutions to handle heavy snow loads and sustained winds that would challenge standard installations in the lower 48. That kind of hard-won, climate-specific knowledge does not come from a textbook.
The company works with Qcells panels, and their installers hold NABCEP certification. While their review count is smaller than many competitors on this list, their 4.9-star Google rating across 55 reviews reflects a tight, loyal customer base that consistently reports thorough system design, transparent pricing, and responsive post-installation support.
Alaska Solar has built a reputation as the go-to installer for homeowners across the Anchorage metro area and the broader Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Their projects range from modest residential rooftop arrays to larger off-grid installations for remote cabins and lodges. In a state where solar adoption still lags behind the national average, Alaska Solar has quietly proven that photovoltaic power can work at high latitudes, and work well.
With a composite score of 75.62 out of 100, Alaska Solar is our top-ranked solar company in Alaska for 2026.
“AK Solar installed a 10 KW system on my roof in Homer. Everyone from start to finish were very professional. Communication was great, they did what they said they were going to do, and kept me...”
Simon L.
“Great professional crew installed the panels fast and did all the permitting with MoA and Net Metering with Chugach promptly. Started generating electricity and on 10/7/24 developed 12.3 kWh!
I...”
Raymond K.
“I got to turn on my solar panels on 2 Oct 2024, and I do not regret that I went with Alaska Solar. Their staff was super, and their installation from the solar panels, meter base being moved, and...”
Bob E.
“Alaska Solar did an amazing job installing my 5.04kW system on my house in Eagle River Valley. Everything from the initial assessment, to installation to going putting the system in service was done...”
Tina N.
“I highly recommend Ben May and his team for any solar project. I am so pleased with Alaska Solar's guidance, expertise, professional installation, service, and follow-up. They were clear,...”
John B.
“I am sixty-nine, live in the Mat-Su Valley, and have been an Alaska Solar customer for a little over a year. I have been an Alaska resident since 1985, with exception of a seven year hiatus in...”
J. P.
“Worked with Anchorage Solar and work was excellent timely and questions answered. System is working great. Fun to watch the production. Quality seems top notch and Ben placed panels for efficiency...”
John M.
“Many thanks to Ben, Tim, Jordan, and Rhu - at Anchorage Solar. They've just spent the last few days installing my new 4.3 Kw residential solar system here in Eagle River. They're a great crew -...”
Renewable Energy Systems has built one of the broadest off-grid and grid-tie residential solar practices in Alaska, with offices spanning Anchorage, Fairbanks, and the Mat-Su Valley out of Palmer. Founded with a focus on the unique demands of Alaskan homes — long winter nights, extreme cold cycling, remote site logistics — the company markets itself directly to homeowners weighing solar against an electricity grid that costs roughly twice the national average. Their materials emphasize an average payback of under eight years and pair photovoltaic design with the kind of practical, climate-adapted engineering that our research team rarely sees from generalist contractors. The website specifically promotes bifacial panel technology selected for Alaska's snow-reflective winter conditions, which speaks to a level of equipment specification that reflects in-state experience rather than national playbook installation.
What stood out to our research team is the breadth of work that sits under one roof. Beyond grid-tie residential PV, Renewable Energy Systems designs full off-grid systems, battery storage, geothermal, small wind turbines, RV and marine solar, and standalone backup power — all delivered by NABCEP-certified installers operating as journeyman electricians. That self-perform electrical capability is meaningful in a state where finding a licensed PV-experienced electrician for interconnection can stall a project for weeks. The company's 4.9-star Google rating across 173 reviews is one of the more substantial verified review bases in Alaska solar, where the entire residential market is small enough that triple-digit review counts indicate sustained customer volume over many years.
Prospective customers should know that the offering is unusually wide. That breadth is a strength for homeowners who want one company to handle solar plus a wood-pellet boiler or a backup wind turbine on a remote parcel, but it also means buyers should ask pointed questions about how much of the team's recent install volume is residential rooftop PV versus off-grid, marine, or geothermal work. Permitting and Golden Valley Electric Association or Chugach Electric interconnection experience is something our team would specifically probe during the quote conversation, since Alaska's utility landscape is fragmented and intertie procedures vary by territory.
With a composite score of 72.5 out of 100, Renewable Energy Systems holds the second-ranked position in Alaska for 2026.
“I had a great experience with RES. Eddie was a great help in the selection of batteries, panels and other components for a system upgrade.”
Bill G.
“Very helpful, we bought a complete system about 8 years ago for a remote cabin, then added and expanded with auto generator start and cell phone access. We don’t know anything about repairs, as it...”
Matt C.
“Totally impressed by the service and professionalism at Renewable Energy Systems in Fairbanks. They installed a 16 panel solar system on our house and a battery backup for the furnace and we are...”
Daniel W.
“Sept 2023-RES is top notch. Great pole mount installation under difficult building conditions. Very professional and well seasoned crew made short work of the structure and panel assembly. The...”
Chris S.
“There is only one place I will ever go For my solar needs here in Alaska! It’s here. No competition.
Between Eddy‘s knowledge and expertise and Tyler‘s willingness to serve, this is the type of...”
Aaron L.
“Spectacular service and knowledgeable folks here. Took time out of their day to explain some technically stuff and offer batteries at a great rate. Definitely check them out if you’re in need of some...”
Ron Y.
“We have had RES provide a battery backup system for our home, and next spring they will be putting in a solar system for us. RES explains their systems thoroughly and in terms that are...”
Amber B.
“This team has installed solar panels 2x for me and they have done a great job each time. They have taken the time to make sure all of my questions are answered and to help make sure I get the best...”
Big Dog Solar reached our Alaska shortlist as an out-of-state installer with an active in-region presence and verifiable residential solar PV experience. Headquartered in the Intermountain West with a service footprint that extends north from its Idaho and Montana operations, the company maintains a Google Business Profile dedicated to Helena and an Alaska-facing presence, and operates with a published, NABCEP-eligible installer team focused exclusively on residential solar — not roofing, electrical, or HVAC bundled offerings. For Alaska homeowners, that single-discipline focus is one of the strongest signals our research team weighs, particularly in a state where the local installer pool is small and many electrical contractors treat PV as a sideline rather than a specialty.
The company's verified review base is substantial. A 4.7-star Google rating across 177 reviews on the profile our team examined puts Big Dog among the better-reviewed solar-specific installers visible in Alaska's directory listings, and the consistency of reviews across multiple regional profiles points to a company that completes the projects it sells rather than one that hands work off to subcontractors after the contract is signed. Big Dog's marketing materials emphasize a turnkey process — design, permitting, interconnection, and post-install monitoring — which matters in Alaska, where utility interconnection procedures vary sharply between Anchorage Municipal Light & Power, Chugach Electric, Matanuska Electric Association, and the Golden Valley Electric Association territories further north.
Our research team did note that Big Dog Solar is not a homegrown Alaska company in the way Alaska Solar or Renewable Energy Systems are. That matters for some homeowners who prioritize local ownership, and prospective customers should specifically ask about which projects in their borough the company has completed, how warranty service calls are dispatched, and what the typical lead time is for an in-person site visit. The flip side is that Big Dog brings the scale, financing relationships, and equipment buying power of a multi-state installer to a market where many local outfits operate with very small crews. For homeowners comparing a national-style buying experience against a hyper-local one, Big Dog represents a credible middle option.
With a composite score of 68.0 out of 100, Big Dog Solar holds the third-ranked position in Alaska for 2026.
“Did a great job of installing my solar panels and addressed my concerns of drilling into my steel roof. Quality panels that produce good power. 2025 was my first start to a “full” year and as of...”
Chuck F.
“I live in Billings and working with Big Dog Solar was easily the worst experience I have ever had with a contractor. I signed a purchase agreement on 8/14/25 and in that agreement the target...”
Rita P.
“We couldn't have been happier with the way this crew completed the installation of our solar energy panels. They were very careful in the placing of the wiring needed and returned the lawn back to...”
John H.
“Big Dog Solar is the most professional and best service oriented company with whom I have ever done business! From the moment I agreed to have my solar system installed, they kept me informed of each...”
Matt W.
“All of the folks I've dealt with during this process were very helpful, professional and dedicated. It was during a very busy time for them and they all went the extra mile to make sure my specific...”
Kathy A.
“The installers and everyone at Big Dog Solar are the best! Very hard workers, pleasant and friendly. They had to do a lot of trench work at our house and did a beautiful job leaving the yard in...”
J G.
“Just got a new install. Good company. They navigate things throughout the process and keep you informed. Well organized. Pleased with the work and with customer service. Thank you”
Alex K.
“The Big Dog solar team was great to work with. They were always responsive, professional, and they kept us well-informed throughout the whole process. Would recommend working with them!”
Alaska's net metering regulations, promulgated by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska in 2010, apply to renewable energy systems of 25 kW or less and require ...
Data-centered stories about events, trends, and issues in Alaska's energy system. Click to read Alaska Energy Blog, a Substack publication with hundreds of ...
*Companies displaying 15 or more years in business are typically established electrical, roofing, or general contracting firms that expanded into solar installation in more recent years. The years shown may reflect the age of the parent organization or a strategic partner, not necessarily the solar division itself. This distinction is worth considering when comparing to dedicated solar installers, as purpose-built solar companies may offer more specialized expertise despite a shorter operating history.
