GridFree: Power problems led to solar solution

When Craig Simpson purchased his ex-farm block on the Tinopai peninsula in 2018, he knew had a few challenges ahead to make it a comfortable place to live. What he didn’t expect was a $90k quote from Northpower to get power connected to the cabin he was planning to build. After receiving similarly large quotes from solar power companies, and facing unhelpful and unresponsive customer service when he asked about smaller systems, he decided to do it himself.

With the help of his son Ethan, an electrical engineer, he managed to build his own off-grid solar solution for a fraction of everyone else’s quote. This caused him to ponder how many other people were in this same position as him, and how many other people could build their own off-grid solar power solution if he provided them with kitsets and detailed instructions.

That was when GridFree was born.

In addition to Zed, who handles the sourcing of their solar equipment from China, Ethan and Craig are now all shareholders in a successful business that has doubled in size every year since they started. The first year GridFree was run out of Craig’s garage, however now they have a warehouse in South Auckland.

“The business was built off the back of feedback from our first customers,” Craig says. “Each one offered advice about how to improve the instruction manuals, the size of the kits, and information we offered online. We now receive many compliments from new customers who 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. They’re always excited to learn how much power they can generate for a much lower price than they expected.”

Over the course of the last few years, the GridFree team has helped hundreds of customers across New Zealand build a better life off the grid. These have ranged from people in the exact same position as Craig trying to build a homestead on rural land, to people building tiny homes and renovating caravans.

“We’ve been really surprised how many of our customers are Maori returning to their whenua,'' Craig says. “Many of them haven’t done anything with the land for years because of a lack of power, or being forced to build by the road because that’s where the power is, but now have the freedom to build a home for their whanau wherever they want.”

When asked about their favourite customer, the team were quick to agree that it was Tom and Maudi. They had been running a generator at their off-grid home for years, and the price of a GridFree kit finally allowed them to switch to solar as they had planned. A few months later, the team were surprised to see another order from Tom, for three more kits! Pleased with the performance of his own kit, Tom was planning to install these three new kits at his local marae, so they could enjoy the same independence he had experienced.

GridFree’s most popular kit is the Bach Kit - for $6199 you can power a fridge, lights, kettle, device chargers, television, water pump, and a number of other small appliances, even in winter.

Craig’s story goes to show that if you solve a problem for yourself, there’s a good chance many other people have the same problem – and if you have a good solution, you may have a good business too!

n For more info go to www.gridfree.store

Pictured from left, Ethan, Craig, and Zed are shareholders in a successful business that has doubled in size every year since they started. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

“The business was built off the back of feedback from our first customers.”

- Craig