Bill and Robin’s Story - OFFGRID NOW® in a house, Cooroy, QLD
Bill, pictured on his home's deck.
Nestled in the lush hills of Cooroy, Robin and Bill's property feels like a little private wonderland. Well‑tended gardens line the driveway, dams glint in the sun, and a neat cottage sits at the front of the block. When they decided to build a second house on another part of their land, a large bill from the local network made them rethink the conventional route and eventually led them to go completely off grid.
Scenic outlook from the driveway.
When Robin and Bill first looked into connecting the new house to the state grid, the quote was confronting: Energex would charge about $38,000 to extend power lines to the new building. That price tag prompted them to explore alternatives. A local installer offered a solar-plus-battery system to take them off grid for roughly $24,000 which was a much more attractive option financially and one that promised long‑term independence from rising network prices.
Their initial off‑grid setup worked at first, but after a few years the batteries began to fail. Attempts to claim on the vendor’s guarantee were met with silence. “When the old system ran out, we’d lose power to the house and I’d have to go out and start the generator myself,” Bill recalls. That hands-on generator routine, sometimes in the middle of the night or in poor weather, made them look for a more reliable solution and a company that would actually support them.
After ringing around and researching online, Robin and Bill found OFFGRID NOW®. The company was nearby and able to send someone to assess their property in person, which mattered to them. “I was quite confident that Brad knew what he was talking about,” Bill says of the technician who visited. They decided to replace their ageing batteries with OFFGRID NOW® systems.
Bill, pictured with their OFFGRID NOW® Daily Grind 8.20 battery system.
Robin and Bill had three older 4.5 kW batteries from their previous provider. OFFGRID NOW® replaced these with four 5 kW batteries and installed an OFFGRID NOW® Daily Grind 8.20 battery system. The batteries and inverter are mounted safely in their carport, with rooftop solar panels on the carport structure. A tidy, unobtrusive setup that keeps the technology close at hand without disrupting the property’s beautiful aesthetic.
Since the switch, the couple say reliability has improved dramatically. “It’s been very reliable,” Bill reports. On most days the batteries comfortably run the house; only on a few very rainy stretches has the generator needed to kick in. Crucially, starting the generator is now automatic when the system needs extra power, rather than something Bill must do manually. That automation has removed a major inconvenience and made living off grid feel effortless.
Robin and Bill haven’t had to make major lifestyle compromises. They run modern household appliances such as an electric hot water system, electric stove and oven, dishwasher and washing machine. They even charge an electric vehicle from their system. They don’t use air conditioning, which helps keep overall consumption manageable, but the system otherwise supports a modern Australian household comfortably.
Solar panels fixed to the carport roof.
Customer support was another deciding factor. “I think I’ve probably rung Brad once. But no more than that,” Bill says, adding that they haven’t needed to check the app or the battery cabinet regularly because everything has run smoothly since installation. Their only routine check is ensuring the generator has fuel, just in case. Robin sums it up simply: “It’s been amazing. We’ve had it for 12 months and, as you can see, we don’t check anything. It has definitely been worth the investment. We love it, it’s fantastic. And the team has been really helpful.”
A neighbourhood blackout in Cooroy brought the benefits of their decision into sharp relief. “A few months ago there was a power outage affecting 2,000 homes in Cooroy for 24 hours and the petrol price was up here,” Robin says. “We thought, this is the way to be. We’re off grid in every way and it’s a lovely, freeing feeling to be self‑sufficient.” Their recommendation for anyone considering the move is clear: do your research, choose your provider carefully and seriously consider going off grid.
Robin and Bill’s vibrant garden.
Some practical takeaways from Robin and Bill’s experience are below.
Financial sense: Extending the grid can be far more expensive than a quality off‑grid solar and battery system, especially for remote or new builds.
Choose a responsive supplier: When systems fail, reliable support matters as much as the hardware. Face‑to‑face assessments and a local presence were important to Robin and Bill.
Automation reduces hassle: An automatic generator start function removes the need for manual intervention in low‑storage situations.
Modern living is possible: With the right design, you can run common electric appliances and even charge an EV without daily compromise.
Confidence comes with performance: After a year on OFFGRID NOW® systems, their trust in the product and the team is strong. They’ve even recommended the company to friends.
For Robin and Bill, going off grid wasn’t just about saving money, it was about choosing independence, reliability and peace of mind. Their OFFGRID NOW® battery system has transformed what was once a stressful, hands-on experience into a smooth, low‑maintenance setup that supports modern living and keeps them comfortable through wet weather and grid outages. As Robin puts it: “There’s no question that the future is going to be uncertain in all sorts of energy ways. But we certainly recommend OFFGRID NOW®. Their service is great and their product is clearly top level, and we are confident living with it.”
If you’re weighing the cost of a remote grid connection versus the long‑term freedom of an off‑grid system, Robin and Bill’s story offers a helpful, real‑world example of how the right system and the right support can make the difference.
