Renewable Energy Systems of Alaska

Renewable Energy Systems of Alaska was incorporated in December 2000, though the company started operations in Alaska in 2006 to concentrate on the needs of renewable energy customers. What began as a focused effort to bring reliable solar solutions to a state with some of the nation’s highest electricity costs has grown into Alaska’s most comprehensive renewable energy provider. In 2007, Renewable Energy Systems opened its own store with working demonstrations, classroom, large warehouse, and shop facilities in Anchorage—a physical commitment that set them apart in an industry often dominated by contractors without showrooms. That Anchorage location became the foundation for educating homeowners about solar energy and proving that renewable technology could work in Alaska’s demanding climate. As demand grew across the state, RES expanded to Fairbanks in 2014 to better serve Alaska’s northern communities with a new store on Airport Way. With the renewable energy appetite growing, RES opened the state’s third store location in Mat-Su Valley in 2020. Today, the company operates showroom locations in Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Wasilla, serving homeowners and businesses throughout Alaska. Each location functions as both a retail space and a technical hub, staffed by engineers and certified installers who understand the unique challenges of designing solar installations in sub-zero temperatures, low winter sun angles, and remote off-grid applications. Renewable Energy Systems takes a different approach than most solar installers. They claim to be Alaska’s only company with NABCEP certified designers and installers, a distinction that matters in an unregulated industry where installation quality varies widely. The company is the exclusive distributor for Surrette Rolls Batteries deep cycle batteries in Alaska and has had Master Distributorships in place for the products used in system designs for over 10 years. This allows them to maintain large inventories and offer immediate technical support—critical advantages when the nearest alternative supplier might be thousands of miles away. Systems they’ve designed can be found in some of the most remote and isolated regions of the state, in businesses, homes, cabins, RV’s, boats and lodges. For Anchorage homeowners considering solar installation, Alaska’s cost of power is twice the national average in major cities and can be more than 8 times more expensive in the remote villages of Alaska. RES positions home solar as a hedge against rising utility rates rather than a purely environmental decision. The company provides both grid-tied solar panels for residential properties connected to municipal power and off-grid battery storage systems for cabins and remote homes. They also design hybrid systems that blend solar, wind, and backup generators—a practical necessity in a state where winter daylight is limited and energy independence can be a matter of safety. The company employs journeyman electricians and keeps structural and electrical engineers on staff, allowing them to handle permitting, installation, and long-term service under one roof. In a market where many solar companies have come and gone, Renewable Energy Systems has built its reputation on being a local, accessible resource for the long-term performance of every system they install.