Lee's Story - OFFGRID NOW® in a Tiny Home in Federal, QLD

Lee standing proudly before her off grid tiny home weekender in the rural suburb of Federal, in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, QLD.

Nestled in the hills of the beautiful Noosa Hinterland rural suburb of Federal, QLD, Lee’s tiny home is a quiet pocket of simplicity. I had the privilege of spending the afternoon with her, relaxing outside on her patio chairs and hearing her story as to how and why she chose to get off-the-grid.

Lee chose the tiny house lifestyle for its ease. I asked her what led her to the decision of having a tiny home here. “Originally, I was searching for a tiny house because I loved the lifestyle. I was working in Brisbane and going up to the Sunshine Coast to visit friends and I needed somewhere to stay”. The idea was to create a weekend getaway while still having a comfortable, low-maintenance base by the coast. “It’s easy to clean, the power and water is no problem,” she says, “This lifestyle is just so easy”.

Lee’s tiny home has a loft-style bedroom.

Lee first ecountered OFFGRID NOW® through a long-standing friendship with the family of OFFGRID NOW® founder, Mark Leckenby. “I’ve known Mark and Andrea for over 30 years, and after seeing their power cabinet display at tiny-home expos, and visiting the OFFGRID NOW® manufacturing facility, I realized I could make the dream real!”. The decision to go off grid was practical and inspirational, driven by friendship, sustainability, and the promise of it all making economic sense.

Lee’s solar panels sit on the roof; she hardly notices them. An OFFGRID NOW® Piccolo 5 is tucked at the front of the tiny home, placed so it doesn’t interrupt the view. The system powers everyday life, such as laptops, phone chargers, a small oven and a pull-out hotplate, a kettle and even air conditioning which has been used in the heat of summer.

Lee’s tiny home contains every comfort needed to make the off grid “weekender” a dream.

When I asked Lee if she had a generator, she said that she had once considered it for rainy days but still to this day has never needed one. More than a year in, Lee reports flawless performance, even during severe weather. When her power in her home in Brisbane shut off during Cyclone Alfred, she was still able to retreat to her tiny haven with lights, appliances and peace of mind intact. “I haven’t had to pay for power once,” she says. “It’s been over a year of living here and it’s been 100%”.

Though she hasn’t needed technical support, the follow-up from OFFGRID NOW® has been reassuring. They check in, offer guidance, and stand ready if ever required. For Lee, the investment has delivered freedom. A sustainable, economical home that fits her lifestyle of living in Brisbane during the week and the Sunshine Coast on the weekends.

Lee’s quiet pocket of simplicity.

Lee’s Tiny Home Off Grid Solar System Specifications

• OFFGRID NOW® Piccolo 5.10

  • Includes DEYE 5kW inverter and a 10.24kWh battery

  • 3kW Solar Panel Array (5 x 590W solar panels)

  • (N.B. Pictures were taken prior to manufacturing of new Picccolo power cabinet design)

• Appliance List

  • Gas continuous hot water

  • Water tank pressure pump

  • Kettle

  • Air Fryer

  • Portable Air Conditioner

  • Lighting

  • Laptop

  • Phone Charger

  • Pull Out Hotplate