How-To Articles

Crafty Gatherer: Handcrafted Tools for a Resilient, Off-Grid Life

There’s a lot more to living GridFree than just solar power. While solar is at the heart of independence, off-grid living also means growing food, managing waste, and using tools that...

5 Tips for going off-grid in a tiny house

If you’ve chosen to go tiny in your off-grid journey, we’ve got a couple tips and suggestions to help with the planning! 

Uncovering the ins and outs of Off-Grid Wastewater with Caleb from WaterFlow, NZ

When you’re planning an off-grid lifestyle, one of the biggest challenges is something many people don’t think about straight away: what to do with wastewater. From toilets to showers and...

TBB Nova App Setup Tutorial

Step-by-Step for GridFree Solar Systems The TBB Nova app is a powerful tool that puts control and visibility of your solar system right in your hands. Whether you're using a Solar...

Top 9 things to Consider Before Running a Holiday Rental in NZ

"With New Zealanders increasingly seeking weekend escapes and international visitors returning in greater numbers, setting up an Airbnb or short-term holiday rental on your land can become a rewarding way...

Smart Load Management with TBB Hybrid Inverters: How to Use the Smart Port for Off-Grid Living

If you’re living off-grid, or planning to, managing your power wisely is just as important as generating it. That’s why all of our new TBB hybrid inverters and inverter/chargers (like...

Inside Spiroloc: NZ Metalwork & Off-Grid Hot Water Innovation

This month, our team visited Spiroloc in Christchurch: a proudly local, family-run manufacturer that became popular over the past years in our off-grid community, for creating robust, innovative off-grid water...

Why Choose a Bifacial Solar Panel? (And Why Our 440W Full Black Panel Is a Game-Changer)

When it comes to solar power, getting the most out of every ray of sunlight is key. That's where bifacial solar panels come in, offering a smart, efficient way to...

DIY Solar in NZ: Stay Safe and Compliant

Embarking on a DIY off-grid solar project in New Zealand can be both rewarding and cost-effective. However, it's crucial to understand the dos and don'ts to ensure safety and compliance...

• basics
• generator

Why do you need a back-up generator for off-grid?

Going off-grid with solar doesn’t mean you’re left powerless when the sun isn’t shining.

Why Lithium Batteries Are the Smart Choice for Off-Grid Solar Systems

Off-grid solar systems are all about freedom and reliability, but your energy storage can make or break the experience.

• lifestyle
• movable dwellings
• planning: installation
• projects
• solar panels
• solar power

Powering Your Pāpākainga with Off-Grid Solar

"GridFree offers off-grid solar solutions tailored to the unique needs of pāpākainga, enabling whānau to embrace renewable energy, manage costs, and reduce their environmental footprint."

• basics
• 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...

• 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...