Steve and Elizabeth Willey started BACKWOODS SOLAR ELECTRIC SYSTEMS as a home based business in 1978, after successfully pioneering the use of photovoltaics for their own mountain home, two miles from utility lines. As of June 11th, 2004, Steve and Elizabeth have retired but their current employees continue to operate the business for a new owner who intends to maintain the Backwoods Solar that our customers know! As one of the major mail order renewable energy businesses, Backwoods Solar Electric once operated from a remote mountain-top property. Both  home and business were 100% powered by the time tested equipment described in the catalog:  85% by the sun, with wind and back-up generator covering the balance in snowy winter months. As of mid-August 2004, Backwoods  moved out of Steve and Elizabeth's home and relocated to a facility just a couple of miles down the road.

Each employee owns and operates an off-grid home that is powered by the products we sell. Scott and Tracey's post and beam home is powered by a Harris Hydro system with Xantrex and Morningstar products. John powers his log cabin with Kyocera and Evergreen solar modules plus Outback products. Shawn uses a Bergey wind turbine and Kyocera solar modules as well as Outback power components. Terry has an ES&D hydro turbine plus Kyocera solar modules on a tracker with Xantrex power products. And Tom utilizes Shell SQ175 modules and Outback products for the home he built from the lumber he milled from the trees on his property.

Backwoods Solar is a catalog sales source specifically dedicated to serving homes so remote that access to utility lines is not practical.  We are an intentionally small business of six solar electric specialists offering personal attention to self-reliant home owners who choose and install their own power systems. Scott, John, Tracey, Shawn, Terry or Tom personally answer all letters, email, and calls during business hours, to help with your questions and equipment needs.

You can browse our full catalog available on this website, but it is quite extensive. If you find this catalog suits your needs, you may want to request a print copy for easier reference, where you can make notes and more easily compare items and refer to the educational material. It is 185 page book size, usually $5, but FREE to folks when utility lines are not possible to your site. Just email, postal mail, phone, or fax your request with your mailing address. We will send the catalog, plus notify you of any new online newsletters during the year.

Our mailing list is never given out nor sold, so you won't be getting any unsolicited mailings that way. 

Your questions will get answered and Your needs will be met. It is our earnest goal to leave you completely satisfied.