In 2009, Danny Piper founded Sundog Solar in Searsport, Maine, with a mission to “make solar energy affordable and attainable to all who live in Maine.” The locally owned company provides high-quality solar and heat pump systems to commercial and residential customers across the Midcoast and Central Maine, including Augusta, Bangor, Bar Harbor, Bath, Camden, Ellsworth, and Rockland.
To make the process as seamless as possible, Sundog Solar assesses each property’s solar potential up front using tools like the Solmetric Sun Eye, then designs a system “that will best serve your family or business’s energy needs for many years” and installs it on the property. The team includes NABCEP-certified solar installers and licensed electricians who have worked on hundreds of systems for a wide range of customers, including homeowners, businesses, retailers, farmers, schools, municipalities, and a car dealership.
Photo Courtesy Sundog Solar
Sundog Solar says it offers low prices thanks to the declining cost of the clean energy solution. The business adds that going solar is an investment that can save money for decades, highlighting that “many of our residential customers save $1,500 a year or more with a solar energy system,” and that “most solar panel systems in Maine pay for themselves with the savings in just eight years.” One customer from Belfast said, “I just got our first full month’s bill from CMP, and it was $36. Last year’s February bill was $221.” Commercial heat pumps, meanwhile, can reduce heating bills by up to 40%. These systems also defend residences and businesses against future energy price hikes: “As the cost of electricity increases, so will your savings.”
A particularly impactful example is at Mount Desert Island High School in Bar Harbor, Maine, where Sundog Solar installed the largest high school solar system in the state in 2019. The school district chose the company over a competitor because Sundog offered a lower cost per kilowatt-hour for electricity and a purchase price that was $270,000 lower over six years. The 1,450 solar panels will save the school about $1.3 million over a quarter-century. Superintendent of Schools Marc Gousse said, “Those are resources that we’re able to look at devoting to other programs and teaching and learning in our communities.”
Photo Courtesy SunDog Solar
One of Sundog Solar’s primary goals is to promote energy independence in the state. By installing the company’s systems, customers can reduce dependence on foreign energy sources while benefiting the local economy and environment. This is especially important during cold Maine winters. One customer from Rockland, Maine, said, “The big surprise is that we have just gotten our February CMP bill. During that month, we put over 100 kWh more of solar electricity on the grid than we drew from it! So we now have power in the bank – already! This is far beyond our expectations for winter solar collection in Rockland, Maine.” Although Maine receives an annual average of four hours of daily sunlight, the state is still perfect for solar, given that “Germany averages 3.5 hours of sunlight each day and is a world leader in solar integration.” By installing solar panel batteries, Sundog Solar also provides energy resilience, helping customers keep their lights on even during power outages.
These energy systems also promise reliability, as Sundog Solar notes that it uses “some of the best solar equipment on the market.” For example, it sources solar panels from companies such as Canadian Solar and Hanwha Qcells, inverters from Enphase and Schneider Electric, and batteries from Rolls Battery and Tesla. “This ensures that our solar system installations create clean, renewable energy for decades,” Sundog Solar adds. “We stand behind our work and provide excellent warranties on labor and equipment to protect your solar investment.” John Bullet, a customer from Steuben, Maine, reflected, “I’ve enjoyed almost four years now of trouble-free solar power, thanks to Sundog Solar! I’m very happy with our solar panel system.” In fact, the company estimates that its systems will function efficiently for 30 years.
Photo Courtesy Sundog Solar
Finally, Sundog Solar’s systems support the environment. The company notes that one kilowatt of solar electricity per day avoids 2,000 pounds of carbon emissions per year. Heat pumps, meanwhile, consume only one-third as much energy as alternative fuels. “When you invest in alternative energy sources like solar, you’re investing in sustainability and the health of our shared planet,” Sundog Solar tells Mainers.
In 2016, for example, Sundog Solar commissioned a 354-panel array for the Pratt Chevrolet Dealer in Calais, Maine, the biggest in Washington County at the time. Owner Ian Pratt said, “I’ve always been about energy efficiency and trying to do what makes sense financially and environmentally. With proper planning, the two things can converge. You can be both environmentally friendly and economically friendly. I won’t do one without the other.”
