Solar design and installation - Auckland based, New Zealand wide 021 24 SOLAR (76527)
Solar panels catching a low sun, with garden foliage in the foreground.
Off-Grid Solutions

Power Your Life Independently

Generate your own clean energy and live free from the grid with reliable solar solutions.

What it is

A house that does not need the network at all

An off-grid system runs completely independently of the electricity grid. Solar panels generate, batteries store, an inverter converts, and backup generation covers the stretches where the weather does not co-operate. Nothing is connected to a lines company, so there is no connection fee, no daily charge, and nothing to lose in a storm.

It is common for rural homes, farms, cabins, tiny homes, baches, sheds, workshops and remote sites - and increasingly for new builds where the cost of trenching and connecting to a distant line makes the grid the expensive option rather than the cheap one.

Off-grid suits you if

  • Grid connection is unavailable, unreliable, or quoted at a number that made you wince
  • The property is rural, coastal, on a private road, or at the end of a long line
  • You are building and can design the power system alongside the house
  • Energy independence matters to you for its own sake

Honestly: for a suburban Auckland home already connected to the network, a hybrid system usually makes more sense. It gives you most of the same benefits and keeps the grid as a safety net.

Two installers fixing solar panels to mounting rails on a long-run metal roof, with forest and hills behind.
Design

Designed for a cold July morning, not a perfect day in January

This is the part that separates an off-grid system that works from one that frustrates you by the second winter. There is no grid to fall back on, so the design has to allow for the worst week of the year rather than the average one.

What the design has to account for

  • Lower solar generation through winter, and shorter days
  • Cloudy weeks, and how many days of autonomy the battery bank needs
  • Roof angle, orientation, and shading from trees, hills or buildings
  • Evening demand, when the household actually uses power
  • High-draw appliances - electric ovens, heaters, spa pools, welders, large pumps
  • Whether backup generation is needed, and how rarely it should have to run
  • Future load: more battery capacity, extra panels, EV charging, a sleepout
A white enclosed standby generator installed on gravel beside a building.
How it works

Five Simple Steps

From the first visit to the day your system switches on. We handle the council paperwork and the grid connection application, so you do not have to.

  1. Free Assessment

    We visit your property, check sun exposure, roof condition, and your power bills.

  2. Custom Design

    We create a system tailored to your needs, with clear savings estimates.

  3. Consent & Approval

    We handle all council paperwork and grid connection applications.

  4. Professional Installation

    Certified team installs safely and efficiently - usually 1-3 days.

  5. Handover & Support

    We explain how it works, activate your system, and provide ongoing support.

Off-grid questions

What people ask about going off-grid

Is off-grid solar suitable for my property?

Off-grid solar may be a good option if grid connection is unavailable, unreliable, or too expensive. It can also suit customers who want energy independence. However, off-grid systems need careful design because there is no grid backup if your power demand exceeds what the system can supply.

Will I need a generator with off-grid solar?

Many off-grid systems include a backup generator. This provides extra security during long periods of poor weather, unusually high usage, or maintenance. A well-designed system should minimise generator run time, but having backup generation can be very useful in New Zealand's winter months.

Can an off-grid system run normal household appliances?

Yes, if it is designed correctly. Off-grid systems can run fridges, freezers, lighting, pumps, washing machines, internet, tools, and many standard appliances. High-draw appliances such as electric ovens, heaters, spa pools, welders, and large pumps need to be considered carefully.

Is off-grid solar cheaper than connecting to the grid?

It depends. If your property is close to existing power lines, grid connection may be cheaper. But for remote or rural properties where connection costs are high, off-grid solar can be a practical and cost-effective alternative.

How long can an off-grid system run without sun?

That depends on battery size, your usage, weather, and whether you have a generator. Some systems are designed for one or two days of backup, while others are designed for longer autonomy. In New Zealand, winter performance is especially important.

Can solar power water pumps?

Yes, solar can power many types of pumps, including household water pumps, stock water pumps, irrigation pumps, and bore pumps. Pump size, start-up load, run time, and whether water storage is available all affect the system design.

Read: the real benefits of off-grid solar for a New Zealand home

Services

Our Other Solutions

Grid-tied, hybrid or fully off-grid - and, if you want it, the gas taken off the property and the electrical work done while we are there. Which combination suits you depends on how much power you use during the day, whether you want the lights to stay on when the network goes down, and what you want the system to do in ten years. That is what the free assessment is for.

Book a consultation

Your solar journey starts today

Our team are ready to muck in and help you on your path to solar freedom. Fill out the form and we will be in touch to arrange a time for a no-obligation consultation to discuss your solar options.

021 24 SOLAR (76527)
  • [email protected]
  • Auckland based - installing across New Zealand
  • Free on-site assessment, no obligation

Helpful to have on hand: a recent power bill, roughly how many people live in the house, and whether you have or are considering an EV. If you do not have those to hand, that is fine - the assessment is how we work it out.

Book your free consultation

Give us a call

021 24 SOLAR (76527)

Trust Solar New Zealand, Auckland