DIY solar · real hardware · honest results
Slowly taking my home off-grid, one step at a time.
I'm documenting every step on YouTube — the wins, the mistakes and the gear that actually worked. Start from the beginning or jump in anywhere.
The journey so far
All chapters →Latest video
More videos →Gear that gets me closer to my goal
See all my gear →
Victron 48V MultiPlus-II 5kVA 120V Inverter
48V inverter/charger with a built-in transfer switch. Runs the house from the batteries, charges them from the grid or a generator, and can be stacked for split-phase or more power.
MidNite Solar TheOne
11.4kW hybrid all-in-one inverter with 120/240V output and up to 15kW of solar input — a big, whole-home system in one enclosure.
Vatrer 48V 100Ah Self-Heating Server-Rack Battery
51.2V LiFePO4 rack battery with a built-in 100A BMS, touchscreen display and self-heating for charging in cold weather. I added it when I expanded my battery bank.
Used SanTan Solar 250W Panels
Used panels pulled from commercial arrays and tested for resale. A very low cost per watt if you have the room to mount a few extra.
Tigo TS4-A-F Rapid Shutdown Module
Mounts under each panel and drops the array to a safe voltage when the rapid-shutdown signal stops — what code now requires for roof arrays.
Victron Cerbo GX System Controller
The brain of a Victron system. Connects inverters, chargers, shunts and batteries so they share data, and sends everything to Victron's free VRM portal for remote monitoring.
EG4 Chargeverter Plus
The newer, outdoor-rated version of the Chargeverter: up to 100A of 48V charging from a generator or the grid.
Anker SOLIX E10
The core of Anker's whole-home backup system: the power module (inverter) plus B6000 battery modules, which stack to add capacity. Mine runs a set of dedicated circuits.
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Weekly livestream
Unplugged LIVE
A weekly livestream for anyone into DIY solar and self-reliance, with me, Rodney Hunt and Eric from East Texas Homestead. Whether you're taking your first steps or you're well on your way to energy independence, bring your questions.
Why I'm doing this
A few years ago I looked into getting a generator for my home. After seeing what it cost — and realizing I'd spend all that money on something I might run a few times a year, and still pay for fuel when I did — I went looking for something that would save me money every day instead.
I started documenting my solar journey on YouTube mostly because it was free storage. Photos are great down the road, but you have to remember what the picture was about.
Once I started, I noticed there was a pretty big gap in information about the hardware I was using, so I've set out to learn it and share it to help fill that gap.
My background in I.T. and development makes me want to know how things work, and to really dig into problems until I find a fix.
Follow along on YouTube
New videos most weeks — real installs, real tests, and what I'd do differently.