SBS Solar

SBS Solar’s story is rooted in four decades of Montana solar experience. Founder Dan Brandborg started his solar journey in Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley in 1983 with Solarex, and in 1985, he and his wife Becky founded Sunelco, a company dedicated to off-grid solar solutions. After selling Sunelco and contributing to significant advances in the industry, Dan and Becky took ownership of SBS Solar in 2015, bringing their deep technical knowledge and passion for renewable energy to the company. In 2020, they were joined in ownership by Ralph Walters and his wife Jaime, who met the Brandborgs at a Missoula Clean Energy Fair in 2014. Ralph, a former film industry electrician with a background on family farms in Southwest Colorado, completed his solar certifications from Solar Energy International in 2011 and worked his way up from installer to project manager at SBS Solar. As a solar installer in Missoula, SBS Solar serves families, businesses, public entities, and nonprofits throughout Western Montana, including communities in Hamilton, Polson, Kalispell, Helena, Butte, and Great Falls. The company specializes in custom solar panel design and installation for both grid-tied and off-grid applications, emphasizing American-made products and personalized service. SBS Solar holds multiple NABCEP certifications on staff, with Dan Brandborg certified as a NABCEP solar technician and the company maintaining Northwestern Energy Certified Installer status. All team members hold OSHA safety certifications, reflecting the company’s commitment to quality and safety standards. What sets this Missoula-based team apart is their genuine connection to the products they install—they live with solar energy themselves. Montana homeowners benefit from SBS Solar’s expertise across diverse applications, from residential rooftop arrays to complex off-grid systems in remote locations like Polebridge. The company also specializes in battery storage solutions, offering American-made backup options that provide energy independence when the grid goes down. Beyond solar installation, SBS Solar provides comprehensive support including grant assistance for USDA and REAP programs, which can cover an additional 25 to 70 percent of project costs, complete paperwork management, and ongoing system monitoring. Reviews consistently highlight the company’s communication, professionalism, and competitive pricing—often thousands below national competitors while delivering more panels and better service. Customers describe installations as “absolutely flawless,” praising the team’s responsiveness and ability to complete projects ahead of schedule, even through challenging Montana weather conditions. For homeowners across Western Montana seeking solar energy solutions backed by local expertise and decades of hands-on experience, SBS Solar delivers custom-designed systems that prioritize long-term performance and genuine energy independence.