About Us

Who We Are

I'm Andy — a dad, an engineer, and the founder of After Grid Supply. I spent over a decade as an engineering leader, building platforms at one of the largest telecommunications companies in the country and co-founding startups that shipped software used in live broadcasts on networks like Fox Sports and Red Bull TV. My wife grew up in Japan, and together we've lived in more rented apartments and homes than we can count (on two hands) across two continents. We've moved a lot, started over a lot, and learned a lot along the way — especially about what it feels like to want better options for your home when the home isn't technically yours.

How We Got Here

When we finally settled into a place we own, one of the first things we did was put up a solar array. Our electricity bill went to zero. It was one of those moments where you realize how much money you'd been leaving on the table for years. But it also made me uncomfortable — because I kept thinking about all the places we'd rented before and how none of this would have been possible. The truth is, over 53 million households in this country rent their home, and most of them have been completely shut out of the solar conversation. Energy prices keep going up, and renters just have to absorb it. I started After Grid Supply because I wanted to change that. We find and carry portable solar panels and battery kits that anyone can use — balcony, patio, fire escape, you name it. No drilling into your landlord's roof. No electrician. No permits. You just plug it in and your meter starts working in your favor.

Why It Matters Now

Reading Bill McKibben's Here Comes the Sun was a turning point for me. McKibben lays out something that's hard to ignore — the technology to power our lives with clean energy isn't some far-off dream. It's here, it's affordable, and it's ready. But he also makes it clear that the shift needs to happen fast. Not eventually. Now. That urgency stuck with me. And the thing that gets me most excited about what we're doing is that this isn't a sacrifice. It's not one of those situations where doing the right thing means spending more or getting less. Every kilowatt-hour you pull from a solar panel on your balcony is one you didn't have to buy from the grid — and it was generated without burning anything. You save money and the energy is cleaner. That's not a tradeoff. That's a win on both sides, and it's something you can start doing today.

What Drives Us

I think about this pretty simply. If you pay an electricity bill, you should have a way to shrink it — no matter where you live or whether your name is on a mortgage. Every product in our store is something I've looked into myself, from brands I trust and would use in my own home. This isn't a massive retail operation with a warehouse full of everything under the sun. It's a small family business that picked a lane because it matters to us. I'm raising my son in a world where energy costs are only going one direction, and I'd rather be part of the solution than sit on the sidelines.

What Makes Us Different

We only carry products that work for renters. That sounds obvious given what we do, but it shapes every decision we make. We're not trying to sell you a rooftop system or a whole-home installation. Everything in our store is portable, requires zero modification to your space, and can move with you to your next place. We partner with established, trusted manufacturers so you're getting reliable equipment — not cheap knockoffs that die after one season. And because I've been a renter myself for most of my adult life, I get the little things that matter. Can it fit on a small balcony? Will it actually make a dent in your bill? Is it worth the investment if you might move next year? These are the questions I ask before we carry anything.

Who This Is For

If you rent your home and you're tired of watching your energy bill climb with no way to fight back, you're in the right place. Maybe you've got a sunny balcony you've never thought of as an asset. Maybe you've looked into solar before and hit a wall of permits, approvals, and costs that didn't make sense. Maybe you just want to start small and see what's possible. Wherever you're coming from, we're here to help you find something that fits your space, your budget, and your life — and to make the whole thing feel a lot less complicated than you thought it would be.

Why I Do This

I could have kept enjoying my own solar setup and left it at that. But being a parent changes how you look at things. I want my son to grow up understanding that the choices you make about energy matter, and that those choices should be available to everyone — not just people who happen to own property. The clock is ticking on how we power our lives, and I believe that millions of small choices made by everyday people add up to something enormous. After Grid Supply is my way of putting that belief into action. I'm glad you're here, and I'd love to help you take your first step toward paying less for power — while making the kind of energy choice you can feel good about.