There is a facebook group called Off Grid Wilderness Living, plenty of folks making some hardcore changes to their lives on there who would be happy to tell you their story, I'm sure.
Look up The Solar Ark, NM. There was some tv show that did an episode featuring Arvo Tompson, who I stayed and worked with for a minute. Living completely from solar power and natural bioproducts like methane gas.. WOOD.. year round.