Real Solar Projects & Customer Stories

From Gel Batteries to Lithium: Alec’s Weekend Warrior Upgrade in Northland

    From Gel Batteries to Lithium: Alec’s Weekend Warrior Upgrade in Northland

    Alec from Kerikeri, Northland, was one of the first customers to purchase GridFree’s Weekend Warrior Kit. Years later, he’s upgraded to a bigger inverter, more solar panels, and lithium batteries....

    Oct 14, 2026Solano Esteche
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    Bringing Solar Water Pumping to the Waiheke Community

      Bringing Solar Water Pumping to the Waiheke Community

      Earlier this year, GridFree supported Electrify Waiheke with a Back Gully Kit for a solar water-pumping demonstration at the local market, helping showcase practical solar solutions and the possibilities of...

      Oct 12, 2026Solano Esteche
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      Finally GridFree: Stanley’s Tiny House Solar Setup in Northland

        Finally GridFree: Stanley’s Tiny House Solar Setup in Northland

        For Stanley Salmon in Opuawhanga, Northland, the goal was simple: get his little cabin powered without relying on the grid. With a Tiny House Pro Kit from GridFree, that’s now...

        Oct 8, 2026Solano Esteche
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        From Off-Grid Shed to a More Usable Space: Brian & Anita’s Solar Story

          From Off-Grid Shed to a More Usable Space: Brian & Anita’s Solar Story

          Location: Tinopai, Northland, New ZealandSystem: Kea Solar Nest + Hercules Generator For Brian and Anita Norris, getting their off-grid shed powered was an important step towards making their property in...

          Oct 6, 2026Solano Esteche
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          Getting Ready for Off-Grid Living in Northland With our Kea Solar Nest

            Getting Ready for Off-Grid Living in Northland With our Kea Solar Nest

            For Steeva & Dan, the goal was simple: sort out the power now and look forward to a future without a monthly power bill. Based in Northland, they are a...

            Sep 1, 2026Solano Esteche
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            Full Power Independence at Manukau Heads With The Kākāpō Solar Nest

            Full Power Independence at Manukau Heads With The Kākāpō Solar Nest

            Discover how Dayl and his family achieved complete energy independence at Manukau Heads with the GridFree Kākāpō Solar Nest. Featuring 60kWh of battery storage and a custom solar array, this...

            Jun 30, 2026Solano Esteche
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            Powering Freedom in Rural Marlborough with the Tiny House Pro

              Powering Freedom in Rural Marlborough with the Tiny House Pro

              A beautiful riverside setup in Rural Marlborough, powered by our Tiny House Pro, shows how simple and reliable off-grid living can be. Running essential appliances, water, lighting, and internet with...

              May 7, 2026Solano Esteche
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              Lisa Goes Off-Grid with the Weekend Warrior Kit

                Lisa Goes Off-Grid with the Weekend Warrior Kit

                Lisa Eketone from the Waikato region has just completed her install of the Weekend Warrior Kit, and she’s already feeling the difference. Sharing her experience, Lisa says she’s “very energy...

                Apr 22, 2026Solano Esteche
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                Thommo’s  Freedom Pro Setup Comes to Life in Gladstone

                  Thommo’s Freedom Pro Setup Comes to Life in Gladstone

                  Thommo from Gladstone, Admiral Hill in New Zealand has just brought his GridFree Freedom Pro Solar Package to life, starting with his garage and soon expanding to power his home....

                  Apr 21, 2026Solano Esteche
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                  From Generator to Freedom: How One Northland Family Finally Powered Their Off-Grid Dream

                    From Generator to Freedom: How One Northland Family Finally Powered Their Off-Grid Dream

                    Stories like Monica and Nick's family in Northland are becoming more common across rural New Zealand. Rising costs and limited access to infrastructure are forcing families to look for new...

                    Apr 20, 2026Tyler Jones
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                    Recognising the Progress: 3 Years of Off-Grid Living with Solar Power in New Zealand

                      Recognising the Progress: 3 Years of Off-Grid Living with Solar Power in New Zealand

                      Sometimes the most important step in an off-grid journey is simply recognising how far you’ve already come.

                      Apr 20, 2026Tyler Jones
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                      They Won an Off-Grid Solar System - Here’s Life One Year Later

                        They Won an Off-Grid Solar System - Here’s Life One Year Later

                        In November 2024 GridFree gifted a complete solar package to Kayla, Paula and their 4 kids! You can watch the full story here.

                        Jan 12, 2026Tyler Jones
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                        Off-Grid Living in New Zealand: Why More Kiwis Are Choosing Freedom, Whenua, and Self-Sufficiency

                          Off-Grid Living in New Zealand: Why More Kiwis Are Choosing Freedom, Whenua, and Self-Sufficiency

                          Across Aotearoa, something is shifting. More people are questioning the pace of modern life - the rising bills, the constant noise, the sense of disconnection. And quietly, deliberately, many are...

                          Dec 20, 2025Tyler Jones
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                          From Caravan to Cabin to Comfort: Karen’s Off-Grid Home Transformation in Ruapehu

                            From Caravan to Cabin to Comfort: Karen’s Off-Grid Home Transformation in Ruapehu

                            After years of travelling and renting, Karen built her dream off-grid home in Ruapehu with GridFree solar power. No bills, no stress, just freedom.

                            Oct 18, 2025Tyler Jones
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                            Off-Grid Living in Te Mata: Building a Life Out of Necessity and Determination

                              Off-Grid Living in Te Mata: Building a Life Out of Necessity and Determination

                              For Jason and Marcia, off-grid living wasn’t a romantic dream. It was the only option. “We didn’t go off-grid to save the world,” Jason explains. “This was about surviving and...

                              Sep 20, 2025Tyler Jones
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                              How Hamish Built a Passive Income Holiday Rental in NZ Native Bush

                                How Hamish Built a Passive Income Holiday Rental in NZ Native Bush

                                Nestled deep in a secluded pocket of regenerating native forest on New Zealand’s rugged West Coast, The Crooked Cabin offers more than just a weekend getaway, it’s a blueprint for off-grid...

                                Jul 28, 2025Tyler Jones
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                                This Couple Made Off-Grid Living on 5 Hectares Surprisingly Affordable in NZ

                                  This Couple Made Off-Grid Living on 5 Hectares Surprisingly Affordable in NZ

                                  "In a time when housing prices keep climbing and power bills bite harder than ever, one couple in the Hurunui District of New Zealand is living proof that you can...

                                  Jun 3, 2025Tyler Jones
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                                  Tokoroa Couple Go Off The Grid for a Life of Joy and Freedom

                                  Tokoroa Couple Go Off The Grid for a Life of Joy and Freedom

                                  Tucked away in Tokoroa, New Zealand, Philip and Hilary have built a life that embodies self-sufficiency, creativity, and a connection to nature.

                                  Mar 25, 2025Tyler Jones
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                                  From Storyteller to Homesteader: Michael’s Off-Grid Dream in Raglan

                                  From Storyteller to Homesteader: Michael’s Off-Grid Dream in Raglan

                                  For Michael, living off-grid isn’t just about his lifestyle—it’s also part of his work. As editor and publisher of On The Land magazine, he shares stories of Kiwis living self-sufficient,...

                                  Feb 23, 2025Tyler Jones
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                                  A Life-Changing Gift for Kayla and Paula in Tokomaru Bay | GridFree Solar Kit Giveaway

                                  A Life-Changing Gift for Kayla and Paula in Tokomaru Bay | GridFree Solar Kit Giveaway

                                  "If everybody could experience this way of living, man, our world will be so healthy."

                                  Dec 14, 2024Tyler Jones
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                                  Embracing Off-Grid Living: Michael’s Tui Solar Nest Journey

                                  Embracing Off-Grid Living: Michael’s Tui Solar Nest Journey

                                  Michael’s off-grid journey is a testament to the incredible potential of renewable energy solutions like the Tui Solar Nest. Stay tuned to On the Land to follow his progress and see the...

                                  Nov 29, 2024Tyler Jones
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                                  Resilience in Ruatoria - Rebuilding After Cyclone Gabrielle

                                  Resilience in Ruatoria - Rebuilding After Cyclone Gabrielle

                                  "Post Gabrielle, we were really, really concerned with regards to another cyclone coming through. We were put at risk. Our home was put at risk. Like all the homes along the strait here. Everyone was at...

                                  Nov 22, 2024Tyler Jones
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                                  Puketui Forest Escape in Taupo

                                  Puketui Forest Escape in Taupo

                                  The GridFree website provided us with all the information we needed to make a confident decision. Absolutely thrilled with our experience after having installed a different system previously from another company which was...

                                  Aug 29, 2024Rachel Simpson
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                                  Hawkdun Hut in Central Otago

                                  Hawkdun Hut in Central Otago

                                  We are super happy with the weekend warrior kit, we initially were going to purchase bits ourself to put one together then we realised that it is not simple by...

                                  Aug 22, 2024Rachel Simpson
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                                  More Off-Grid Resources

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