Rob's Story- OFFGRID NOW® with Expanda Homes, QLD

Rob standing in front of his ground-mount solar array.

Mark had driven three hours out into the Lockyer Valley to meet Rob. Rolling past cotton fields and the occasional farmhouse, the journey ends at a tidy slice of off-grid living: two Expanda tiny homes, a shed with a 25,000-litre water tank, and an OFFGRID NOW® Robusta 12.30 battery cabinet quietly powering everything.

Rob lives on this block with his son Josh and Josh’s Grandfather. The trio have built a practical, comfortable life here without relying on mains electricity. Instead, the property runs on a 12 kW solar array paired with a 12 kW inverter and the OFFGRID NOW® Robusta 12.30 battery system. It’s a straightforward setup that delivers reliable power for all their daily needs — and, as Rob says simply, “It’s pretty good. It runs all of our homes, so no dramas, no nothing.”

Rob’s move to this land wasn’t romantic; it was practical. He needed a new place to live and found a parcel of land that, he decided, would be quicker, easier and cheaper to set up on than renting elsewhere. “Within two years I’ll have it all paid back,” Rob tells Mark. “If I ever have to get rid of it, I can sell it all back off and make my money back. I’m not really losing either way.”

Rob’s no stranger to making things work on a budget. He’d previously run a similar system with two granny flats on another property. This time he chose to buy two tiny homes instead of building more granny flats. With experience in plumbing and septic systems, he knew he could repeat what he’d done before, just smaller and more portable. “I thought if I’ve done it once before, I can do it again,” he says.

Rob’s Expanda Home sitting on the property.

One reason Rob put the solar array out in the paddock rather than attaching it to the tiny homes is portability. The Expanda homes are designed to be packable and transportable. By mounting panels on the ground, Rob can dismantle and move the entire setup down the track if he needs to. “I have Expanda Homes. I want to pack them up eventually, so it’s a way better system to put them on the ground. I can still pull it all back out of the ground again and re-ship it to the next place,” he explains.

Running a household off-grid can sound daunting. But Rob’s experience, plus the right kit, makes it straightforward. The OFFGRID NOW® Robusta 12.30 and the 12 kW solar array provide enough capacity to run both tiny homes without worry. When Mark asked how much power they used with everything on, they estimated about 4 kW in use at peak times. That includes a fridge, air conditioning, water pump, air fryer, kettle, toaster, TV, plus gas hot water and a gas cooktop. “That’s with everything running,” Mark says. “They’ve got plenty of power.”

The OFFGRID NOW® Robusta 12.30 battery cabinet

Rob’s son Josh has been central to setting the property up. He helped place the tiny homes and establish the site, then took on the role of tech troubleshooter. Josh connected Starlink to the property, giving the family fast, reliable internet even out in the paddock. He’s also the one who de-bugs systems if anything goes awry — a handy skill when you’re relying entirely on a self-contained power setup.

The estate’s water supply is equally practical. A 25,000-litre water tank sits by the shed at the back of the property, ensuring they have ample water for household needs and the occasional drought. The water pump runs off the solar-battery system, so the family doesn’t need to worry about manually managing water pressure or access.

There are three clear reasons the Robusta 12.30 has made a positive difference for Rob and his family: reliability, cost-effectiveness and flexibility.

• Reliability: The system handles all essential loads without drama. Even with air conditioning and kitchen appliances running, the family hasn’t experienced the inconveniences associated with underpowered or intermittent supply.

• Cost-effectiveness: Rob sees the system as an investment. He calculated that within a couple of years the setup will have paid for itself through savings on rent and mains electricity. If circumstances change, the components are resaleable — another way to protect what he’s spent.

• Flexibility: By choosing ground-mounted panels and portable tiny homes, Rob has kept future options open. If he wants to move or reconfigure the setup, it can be done without a major rebuild.

Cotton fields nearby in Lockyer Valley.

What stands out about Rob’s story is the calm, practical approach he and his family have taken. There’s no obsession with extremes. Just sensible decisions guided by experience and the right technology. The OFFGRID NOW® Robusta 12.30 isn’t a novelty for them; it’s a dependable part of everyday life that allows three generations to live comfortably on one block of land.

For anyone considering a similar step, Rob’s experience shows that off-grid living can be accessible and sustainable when you match the right gear to your needs. The combination of a reliable battery cabinet, a well-sized solar array and a pragmatic mindset can make remote living not just possible, but genuinely enjoyable.

Rob, Josh and their grandfather built a practical, resilient home in the cotton fields, powered by the sun, backed by a robust battery system, and held together by a family willing to turn experience into everyday independence. If you’re thinking about going off-grid, their story shows what sensible planning and the right equipment can achieve.

• Solar System Specifications and Appliances 

  • OFFGRID NOW® Robusta 12.30

    • Includes 12kW inverter and a 30kWh battery

    • 12kW Ground-Mount Solar Panel Array

  • Appliance List

    • Hot water system type: Gas hot water system

    • Cooktop/oven type: Gas cooktop

    • Aircon type/size: Airconditioning

    • Dishwasher: No

    • Laundry appliances: Washing machine

    • Sauna/Spa/Pool: No

    • EV - No