Real Solar Projects & Customer Stories

• kit: tiny house kit
• off-grid
• tiny house
• tiny living

A Fresh Start: a Tiny Home with Solar and the Freedom of Living Off-Grid

Sometimes, a fresh start means finding a completely different way of living. For Ali, that meant swapping a large six-bedroom home for a cosy tiny home in rural Riverhead, New...

A Patch of Paradise: Sarah and Tommo’s Off-Grid Solar Journey in Thames

Over $100,000 to connect to the grid? For Sarah and Tommo, there was a smarter, more affordable solution: going off-grid with solar. With their Kea Solar Nest, they're taking the...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

• family home
• kit: Kakapo 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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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.

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.

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

• Kit: Tui Solar Nest
• self sufficiency
• solar power
• type: video

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.

• Kit: Tui Solar Nest
• off-grid business
• tiny living
• tui
• type: video

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,...

• giveaway
• kit: bach Kit
• lifestyle
• type: video

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."

• Kit: Tui Solar Nest
• projects
• type: article

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...

• kit: Freedom Kit
• lifestyle
• off-grid business
• self sufficiency
• type: video

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...