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The present study examines the challenges and barriers to designing, building, operating and maintaining resilient off-grid energy systems for stand-alone houses in Sweden and Poland, with a particular focus on extreme weather events (EVEs). A qualitative approach was adopted in a designerly ways of knowing fashion, and in-depth interviews were conducted with six off-gridders in Sweden and Poland. Thematic analysis was then used to explore the technical, economic and regulatory challenges faced by off-gridders. The encompasses a range of off-grid energy systems, including both renewable and non-renewable systems, as well as hybrid systems. The study’s key findings reveal significant hurdles, including limitations on energy production during winter months, particularly in Sweden, system complexity, high initial investments, and a strict regulatory environment. The study emphasises the necessity for specialised knowledge, adaptive strategies and supportive policies to foster resilient off-grid energy solutions, whether self-sufficient or as a backup to the grid and vice versa.