How-To Articles

Low-Frequency hybrid Inverter VS High-Frequency hybrid inverter

Low-Frequency hybrid Inverter VS High-Frequency hybrid inverter

This Article will help you understand some key differences between an low-frequency offgrid hybrid inverter and a high-frequency offgrid hybrid inverter.  All of our NEW TBB renewable off-grid hybrid inverters...

Jan 29, 2025Zed Song
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Living Off the Grid: 9 Surprises and Misconceptions

Living Off the Grid: 9 Surprises and Misconceptions

Thinking about going off the grid in New Zealand? We had a chat with some off-gridders to hear all about what surprised them most when they moved off grid, and...

Dec 22, 2023Rachel Simpson
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What is a kilowatt hour?

What is a kilowatt hour?

If you’ve started looking into solar, kilowatt hours (kWh) is a term you’ve probably seen – but what does it mean and how do you use this term to find...

Nov 5, 2023Rachel Simpson
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Effects of Shadow on Solar Panels

Effects of Shadow on Solar Panels

Occasionally customers will call us wondering why they can’t seem to fully charge their batteries despite having plenty of sunshine - more often than not, there’s a shadow being cast...

Oct 22, 2023Rachel Simpson
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Best Appliances for Off Grid Living

Best Appliances for Off Grid Living

Going off the grid and trying to work out what the best appliances will be? By choosing the most efficient appliances you can cut down on your electricity use quite...

Sep 29, 2023Rachel Simpson
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How to Use Our Load Calculator

How to Use Our Load Calculator

Here's simple explanation of what numbers to enter in the Load Calculator.

Sep 1, 2023Rachel Simpson
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5 Things to Consider before Living Off Grid in NZ

Dreaming about escaping the rat race and living off the land? Here are five things to consider before making your big move towards living off grid in NZ. 

Jul 24, 2023Rachel Simpson
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How to Read Gel Battery Voltage

How to Read Gel Battery Voltage

A common mistake new solar users will make with our kits is reading your Gel battery charge using the bars or percentage on screen, and misinterpreting charging voltage vs resting.

May 22, 2023Rachel Simpson
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Getting Power to a Rural Property NZ

Getting Power to a Rural Property NZ

Have you just purchased a lifestyle block? Maybe you’re moving onto family land that has no services? Getting power to a rural property is usually the first task, so that you can progress all...

Mar 20, 2023Rachel Simpson
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How do I know how much solar power I need?

How do I know how much solar power I need?

If you’re going off grid and asking yourself “How do I know how much solar power I need?,” this article is for you. We'll show you how to calculate how...

Mar 6, 2023Rachel Simpson
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What are the best methods to heat water off-grid?

What are the best methods to heat water off-grid?

Electric hot water cylinders use a LOT of power, so it's best to heat water off grid with an instant gas hot water camping shower, a woodburner and wetback, or...

Dec 16, 2022Rachel Simpson
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What's the difference between a Standard and a Hybrid solar kit?

What's the difference between a Standard and a Hybrid solar kit?

Looking at our solar kits but not sure whether to go with a Standard or Hybrid kit? Here's a rundown of the key differences in function, contents, and recommended uses.

Oct 18, 2022Rachel Simpson
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Is off-grid solar right for me?

Is off-grid solar right for me?

If you're asking whether an off grid solar system is the right choice for your lifestyle, the first thing to understand is the difference between off-grid and grid-tied solar.

Apr 26, 2022Rachel Simpson
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Q+A: What Does Grid Free Mean and How to Go off the Grid with Solar

Q+A: What Does Grid Free Mean and How to Go off the Grid with Solar

Taking short breaks from the city on the weekends, escaping the city rent trap, or starting to build a life on family land—when it comes to answering the question "what does...

Jan 25, 2022Rachel Simpson
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Q+A: How Much Does an Off Grid Solar Setup with NZ Solar Panels Cost? Plus Saving Tips

Q+A: How Much Does an Off Grid Solar Setup with NZ Solar Panels Cost? Plus Saving Tips

From a holistic point of view, the costs of an off grid solar setup in NZ (solar panels, batteries, and everything else you need) really comes down to the type of life you...

Jan 20, 2022Rachel Simpson
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Q+A: In a Complete Off Grid Solar System with Batteries, How Many Batteries Do I Need to Go Off the Grid?

Q+A: In a Complete Off Grid Solar System with Batteries, How Many Batteries Do I Need to Go Off the Grid?

How many batteries do I need to go off-grid in New Zealand? Start by asking what you plan to run, not how many batteries you need to go off the...

Jan 18, 2022Rachel Simpson
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A Quick Guide to the Lifestyle Kit

A Quick Guide to the Lifestyle Kit

When choosing where to build on your lifestyle block, getting solar power for off grid living with a GridFree Lifestyle Kit means you don’t have to be constrained by the costs of...

Sep 7, 2021Rachel Simpson
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Off-Grid Solar 101 - How Does an Off-Grid Solar Power System Work?

Off-Grid Solar 101 - How Does an Off-Grid Solar Power System Work?

So how does off grid solar work? It’s a pretty simple process! The solar panels collect energy from the sun’s rays, which is stored in the batteries, so the energy...

Mar 23, 2021Ethan Simpson
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What Not to Run on Solar (and What to Use Instead)

What Not to Run on Solar (and What to Use Instead)

If it’s your first time off-grid and you’re used to city power, there are a few changes you’ll have to make to adapt to solar power. If you’re already off-grid...

Nov 30, 2020Ethan Simpson
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5 Mistakes to Avoid When Designing your Solar System

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Designing your Solar System

If you're not well versed in solar, it can become complex and confusing pretty quickly, so it's easy get started down the wrong path without realising it. To help prevent any...

Oct 22, 2020Rachel Simpson
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30 Common Solar Power Terms, and What They Mean

30 Common Solar Power Terms, and What They Mean

We know learning about solar power energy and how it all works can be confusing, so we’ve put together a breakdown of the most common solar power jargon. If you...

May 13, 2020Ethan Simpson
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What to Know BEFORE You Go Solar

What to Know BEFORE You Go Solar

Switching to solar power means clean, renewable energy, and ending your reliance on the grid. It also means going through some big lifestyle changes, but it doesn’t have to be a...

Mar 3, 2020Ethan Simpson
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READ THIS before installing solar in your Motorhome

READ THIS before installing solar in your Motorhome

Every day more and more motorhome owners are going solar. Solar is a clean and quiet option that allows you to travel off-grid for longer without sacrificing your power needs. A motorhome...

Nov 12, 2019Ethan Simpson
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Off-Grid Solar Basics for Going GridFree in NZ - 102

Off-Grid Solar Basics for Going GridFree in NZ - 102

Thinking of going off the grid with solar energy? We’ve created this complete guide to help you! Off grid living means you have no connection to the electric utility’s distribution...

Aug 12, 2019Ethan Simpson
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More Off-Grid Resources

Join our GridFree NZ community on Facebook to connect with others looking to venture or live off-grid, just like you.
Check out GridFree customer installation stories to see how other people went solar. Subscribe to our Youtube channel for more how-to videos and installs behind-the-scenes. Have a question you didn’t see addressed above? Contact us.