How-To Articles

Going off-grid? Learn more with our off grid resources specially for New Zealand - videos and blog posts that talk through your solar power FAQs, installation questions, and more about our off-grid solar power kits too.

Interested in self sufficient living blogs? Here are some helpful articles to read before you go off-grid full-time.

Media Type

PLANNING STAGE

One thing customers are never told when getting a quote for off-grid solar?

What they can do to lower the cost. We believe this is a massive disservice to a customer.

Why are Off-Grid Quotes so High?

Read More
Due Diligence When Buying Land | Buying Bare Land NZ Tips | GridFree
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10 Things to be aware of when buying bare land for off grid living
If you’re just starting the process of buying bare land in NZ, and you’ve not done it before, there’s a lot to think about! It’s important to do your due diligence when buying land, so to make thin...
Top Tips from Off-Gridders
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Top Tips from Off-Gridders
Our Facebook group, GridFree NZ, is full of off-gridders with plenty of knowledge about all the different areas of off-gridding, so we pulled together some of their advice to help you on your journey!
Living Off Grid in Winter | How to Use Solar Panels Winter | GridFree
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How to Prepare for Living Off-Grid in Winter
Getting ready for your first winter off-grid? It can be a bit daunting heading into it, so in this article we list some recommended tasks to complete before winter really sets in. 
Generators for Beginners - Basics + What to Buy
 
Generators for Beginners - Basics + What to Buy
Are you going off grid, have never used a generator, and have no idea what to expect? Here’s a rundown of some generator basics to help you get a feel for what to buy and how you’ll use it.
Off Grid Toilet Options
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Off Grid Toilet Options
Going off grid and trying to plan your toilet system? Here are some common plumbed and no-plumbing toilet options and considerations for each, so you can work out the best off grid toilet option fo...
Getting Power to a Rural Property NZ
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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 your ...
How do I know how much solar power I need?
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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 much solar power you need, so you can choose ...
How to Cook Off-Grid
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How to Cook Off-Grid
One of the main things we tell people when they’re looking to power a full time off-grid lifestyle is that our solar kits aren’t designed to handle cooking – so no ovens or stovetops! They use a LO...
What are the best methods to heat water off-grid?
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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 evacuated tube solar hot water for ...
Is off-grid solar right for me?
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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.
Going Off-Grid Q+A: Getting the Internet Off Grid
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Going Off-Grid Q+A: Getting the Internet Off Grid
Going off-grid does not at all mean going without internet - as seen with our founder, Craig who frequently does Zoom calls from his off-grid cabin! There are a few options people use to get the in...
Off-Grid Solar 101 - How Does an Off-Grid Solar Power System Work?
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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 will be available to use after th...

More Off Grid Resources

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Check out GridFree customer installation stories to see how other people went solar.

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Have a question you didn’t see addressed above? Contact us.