How-To Articles

• quick guide
• type: video

Comprehensive Guide to the E4 TBB Monitoring Unit

By following this guide, you can ensure the smooth operation of your E4 TBB Monitoring Unit and maintain optimal performance for your off-grid solar solution.

• how to
• planning: maintenance/troubleshooting
• solar power
• Solar Water Pump
• type: video

How to replace the screw in your solar screw pump?

The screw or helical rotor is the part of the pump that actually pushes the water. Over time it will eventually wear down and you'll need to replace it.

• glamping
• type: article

Powering Your Off-Grid Glamping Site or Airbnb Cabin with GridFree Solar in Rural New Zealand

With the growing popularity of green and sustainable living, many people with patch of land are looking to set up a glampsite or cabin powered by an off-grid solar kit, like those provided...

Calibrating the pressure switch for your solar water pump

Our systems are designed to be automated with the help of a pressure switch. As you pump water it slowly fills your header tank. Once the tank fills to the top (and assuming you...

• type: article

Beginner's Guide to Off Grid Electricity in New Zealand

Living off-grid in New Zealand means generating your own electricity and becoming self-sufficient. This guide will cover the basics of setting up an off-grid electricity system, including the different types...

• lifestyle
• type: article

Foraging as a Way of Life + Pickled Onionweed Recipe

In my early 20s, while living in the Swiss/Italian Alps I fell headfirst into the wonderful wild world of foraging and folk herbalism. I was instantly drawn to the beautiful,...

• GridFree Connections
• type: video

GF Connections - Interview with Elite Tiny Homes

There's a whole lot more to living off grid than just setting up solar. So today we're starting a new series where we visit other off-grid friendly businesses that you might encounter in your...

• basics
• general
• planning: research and planning
• type: article

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...

• basics
• FAQ
• q+a
• type: article

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...

• basics
• planning: installation
• planning: maintenance/troubleshooting
• planning: research and planning
• solar panels
• type: article

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...

• general
• type: article

Tips for Conserving Water Off-Grid Over Summer

With a much drier season expected this summer, it’s important to be prepared for the lack of rainfall we’ll have over the next several months, so here are some quick...

• appliances
• basics
• type: article

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...

• how to
• planning: maintenance/troubleshooting
• planning: purchasing
• sizing
• type: video
• usage

How to choose a backup generator

A generator is a key part of any off grid setup. If you run into a set of rainy days with no solar generation or you just use too much power,...

• type: article

What is Solar Pumping?

Solar water pumps are usually to replace on-demand pumps such as petrol or mains pumps - saving on bills and time.

• batteries
• type: article

How to Look After Off Grid Solar Batteries

Batteries are a key component in all our off grid solar kits. They are also your biggest investment, so it is very important to look after them to maximise their...

• basics
• general
• tiny living
• type: article

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. 

• general
• tiny house
• type: article

10 Things to do to Prepare to Live Off the Grid

In this article, we will cover 10 important things to think about so you know how to prepare to live off the grid.

• type: video

What are Peak Sun Hours?

What does '3 peak sun hours' mean? And how do you understand it in a way that helps you choose the right kit? Here’s a full explanation!

• basics
• batteries
• FAQ
• kits
• planning: maintenance/troubleshooting
• solar power
• type: article

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.

• kit: bach Kit
• kit: Freedom Kit
• kit: lifestyle kit
• kit: starter kit
• kit: tiny house kit
• kit: Weekend Warrior Kit
• kits
• planning: maintenance/troubleshooting
• solar power
• type: article

How to get the most out of your solar kit

An off grid solar kit is a significant investment, and with some careful planning and attention, you can maximise its output and longevity.

• self sufficiency
• type: article

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 things easier, we've listed ten things that...

• general
• how to
• planning: research and planning
• self sufficiency
• type: article

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...

• general
• self sufficiency
• type: article

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. 

• self sufficiency

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...