It is a fact that has many consumers concerned, compounded by the Baird government's plan to seek a mandate for the partial privatisation of state-owned electricity "poles and wires" companies this year. Premier Mike Baird has said the government expects around $20 billion from the sale. "Looking forward, electricity prices are not going to go backwards," said Mr Kelk, who has recently had the solar panels installed on his off-grid Murrumbateman home in the Southern Tablelands. Their $79,000 off-grid system will include a large stand alone power system that will be used to produce all the energy for the house; hot water, cooking and a ground heat pump. The price tag comes after the small-scale technology certificates (STC) discount of around $30,000, applied under the federal government's small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).

A 2013 report for the Australian Trade Commission found that two per cent of Australia's population lives in the off-grid electricity market, which consumes more than six per cent of Australia's total electricity demand. Off-grid systems are most common in regional Australia where the cost of joining the grid can be more than $30,000. In inner city Sydney, where network connection costs are affordable and stationary batteries remain expensive there has been little drive for people to move off the grid. However, with electricity prices on the rise and battery prices tipped to decline 50 per cent by 2020, more households could begin looking to alternatives. There are two main reasons a household elects to go off the grid, said Chris Dunstan, research director at the Institute of Sustainable Futures.

"There's the cost side, with electricity prices doubling over the last six or seven years; where might they go in the next six or seven years," he said. "But people who go off the grid also do so because they are often not happy with sorts of energy choices being made on their behalf." As the price of batteries and solar PV falls the front line of where off-grid living becomes cost-effective is coming closer to major population centres. "At the moment it's much more cost effective to never connect to the grid but, once the grid is built, the equation changes," said Mr Dunstan. "So for most in the metro area it would be significantly more expensive to go off the grid."

For anyone considering life off the grid, sustainability coach Michael Mobbs says solar retailers should be the first stop. "Get three quotes from solar retailers who've been in business for at least 10 years. The reason for that is many who are selling solar don't have 10 years' experience - and are unlikely to be around in another five years to honour or implement warrantees or guarantees," he said. "Second, tell them you want to get all your energy needs from the solar system and measure your monthly use." The 2014 AEMC review also found a growing need for retailers to adapt to technological changes which are transforming the traditional methods of supplying and consuming electricity. It pointed to Origin as one retailer adapting to changing needs. "Origin is offering customers the ability to install an electric vehicle charging unit in their garage through an alliance with ChargePoint. They also have a specific tariff for electric vehicle charging," the report said.

When power blacked out in New York following Hurricane Sandy there were reported cases of homeowners hooking their Toyota Prius up to their house to power the lights, television and refrigerators. "I don't recommend trying this at home but it does illustrate what the future might look like...the technology has been developed," said Mr Dunstan. New automotive models, like the Tesla Model S 85, are likely to have big impacts on the battery market. The 85 refers to its 85 kilowatt hour battery. Comparatively, the average electricity consumption in NSW is 20 kilowatt hours per house, per day. "Every time the market grows the potential to use technology for other purposes becomes greater," said Mr Dunstan.



"Traditionally in remote Australia off grid batteries are lead acid. Now we are starting to see lithium applied in these contexts, as prices come down."

For Mr Kelk the decision to build off the grid has changed the way he looks at things. "It was going to cost $40,000 for us just to just get connected on a rural block," he said. "You've got to look at the long-term view now. If I was starting from scratch again I would definitely go off grid again."