WHAT A REVIEW OF 21 NZ RESIDENTIAL SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS FOUND

An innovative NZ company is helping block owners to free themselves from the grid & power bills, with DIY solar power.

Real performance data from 21 solar power systems showed in a range of scenarios, the return-on-investment figure (the lowest being 5.42% ROI) was higher than the current average bank interest rates of 2.5%. The research by SEANZ also showed:

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because of the wide range in prices, participants that shopped around gained better financial results.

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those who installed timers and utilised their solar power during the day could off-set expensive electricity costs.

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people paying higher electricity prices benefitted more.

WHEN CRAIG SIMPSON bought a block on the remote Tinopai Peninsula in Northland in 2018, he knew he had a few challenges ahead to make it a comfortable place to live.

He didn’t expect a $90,000 quote to get power connected to the cabin he planned to build. There were similarly large quotes from solar power companies and he couldn’t find anyone who could provide the smaller-scale system he needed.

Instead, he and electrical engineer son Ethan built their own solar system for a fraction of everyone else’s quote.

It made Craig wonder how many other people had the same problem. Soon, he and Ethan were selling DIY off-grid solar kits from his garage, and GridFree was born.

Today, the GridFree team is based in a large warehouse, and business has doubled in size every year.

The GridFree kits

There are a range of options, from the $2299 Starter Kit for those with low power needs, right up to the Lifestyle Kit, the ultimate off-grid solar power system designed to power rural homes full of everyday household appliances.

GridFree’s most popular kit is the Bach Kit. For $6799 you can power a fridge, lights, kettle, device chargers, television, water pump, and other small appliances, even in winter.

The DIY installation

Best of all, you can install it yourself, and you don’t need to be an electrician.

GridFree kits come with comprehensive, easy-to-follow installation instructions.

If you do get stuck, one of the GridFree team can help you out.

“The business was built off the back of feedback from our first customers,” says Craig. “They offered advice about how to improve the instruction manuals, the size of the kits, and the information we offer online.

“New customers are pleasantly surprised to see a company that’s upfront with information and pricing, encourages people to DIY, and shows just how easy it is to install a kit.”

The results

The GridFree team has helped hundreds of customers create their own power system.

“They’re always excited to learn how much power they can generate,” says Craig. “And for a much lower price than they expected.”