Until he organised the solar technology, he was using gas and a diesel generator at the house, he said.
The settlement, which was separate to the solar agreement, was an important ''victory for the wee guy'', because it sent a message to the residents in remote New Zealand houses ''at the end of the line in the middle of the wops'' to stand up to electricity suppliers.
He took the supplier ''to task'' because he knew he had grounds to prosecute.
''When these power companies won't reconnect power, it is a criminal act.''
He was pleased the supplier got a ''good rap across the knuckles from the Electricity Authority''.
Authority chief executive Carl Hansen said it was the first time an electricity supplier had been prosecuted under the relevant section of the Electricity Industry Act 2010.
''The settlement achieved everything we wanted to get out of a prosecution.''
OtagoNet admitted it breached the Act, apologised, paid reparation to Mr Dunlop, contributed to the authority's legal costs, and made a donation to several charities in place of a penalty under the Act, Mr Hansen said.
Although the settlement meant a legal precedent had not been set, the electricity industry had been sent the message the authority would prosecute to protect consumers, Mr Hansen said.
A supplier was responsible, no matter the cost, to resume an electricity supply as soon as reasonable, or make an alternative arrangement with the consumer.
''You can't leave customers in the lurch.''
The provision in the Act had existed since 1992 when supply companies were being ''corporatised'' during the energy sector reforms.
PowerNet chief executive Jason Franklin said he was happy a fair settlement had been reached.
''All parties are happy with the settlement, so therefore it must be fair.''
PowerNet managed the electricity network of OtagoNet, Electricity Invercargill and the Power Company.
Marlborough Lines is no longer part of the company.
