Advertise on podcast: Unplugged Live - DIY Solar

Welcome back to Unplugged LIVE. This week is a first for the show: the episode got prerecorded and airs as a premiere. Around midday on taping day the crew found out they could not make the live show, so Eric, Rodney, and Adam fired up the cameras that evening and recorded a hangout instead of skipping the week. Eric calls it the behind the scenes preview to the after show. The night is pure catching up: Rodney's new business startup with its LLC, DBA, and insurance paperwork, Adam's phone-heavy week at the day job, the Vegas airport story with the unattended bag and the mystery hallway between terminals, camping at Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Arkansas, and a snapped line set that took out the mini split for good, which turns into a talk about why those R-410A units stopped being sold. The back half gets better still: the combiner box build on screen with its raceway and conduit, the truck story that ends in DMV paperwork, a sunshine report check with demo numbers filling in for the chat, two years of streaming history with the first stream dates and RE+ as the one miss, a look back at the very first stream that sparked the reaction video idea, the 20 to 30 minute after show pitch, AI agents talk, and a recommendation for a roof drone security build tested in a mock robbery. Topics in this episode: Why this week is a prerecorded premiereRodney's business startup: LLC, DBA, and insuranceAdam's week at the day jobThe Vegas airport storyQueen Wilhelmina State Park campingThe dead mini split and the R-410A problemThe combiner box buildThe truck story: broken belt and the DMVSunshine report check with demo numbersTwo years of streamsA look back at the very first streamThe after show pitchRoof drone security platformTell us where you want more: the members-only after show or the meetup with us at RE+ in Las Vegas. Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceF6zNXxLURMrxcDpWaoCXf7Z63xrcGNg-zWRE-MEb5m-FAA/viewform Support the show through our partners: Signature Solar: signaturesolar.com and Current Connected: currentconnected.com. Use code GET50UNPLUGGED for $50 off orders of $500 or more. Disclosure: Some links above are affiliate links. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. The hosts: Eric (Home Energy Independence), Rodney (Rodney Hunt), and Adam (Adam De Lay DIY). Unplugged LIVE streams Thursdays at 8 PM Eastern and 7 PM Central on the Unplugged DIY Solar channel. Email the show: [email protected]

Tonight on Unplugged LIVE, we are making solar charge controllers easier to understand and helping you avoid common budget traps. Start with the basics of PWM versus MPPT: how each technology handles solar panel voltage and current, the power losses cheap PWM controllers cause, how to spot fake "MPPT" knockoffs on Amazon, and real-world examples that help you pick the right controller for your setup. The back half gets personal: Rodney announces his two-week notice live on air, Adam tests the Vatrer WiFi battery communications against his other battery brands, and the chat swaps its first controller stories, including the legendary budget specials that would not die. The episode closes with the solar farm debate: farmland versus parking lots. Topics in this episode: Why you can never wire a solar panel straight to the batteryPWM explained: the light switch approach and where it falls apartThe PWM power loss math on a real 300 watt panelMPPT explained: finding the sweet spot and running high voltage panelsSide by side: PWM near 70 percent, MPPT near 97 percentHow to spot a fake MPPT: weight, price, and voltage tellsWhen PWM is actually the right callThe PWM versus MPPT decision checklist for your buildRodney puts in his two-week noticeAdam tests the Vatrer WiFi battery against his other brandsYour first controller stories from the chatThe solar farm debate: farmland versus parking lotsSupport the show through our partners: Signature Solar: signaturesolar.com and Current Connected: currentconnected.com. Use code GET50UNPLUGGED for $50 off orders of $500 or more. Disclosure: Some links above are affiliate links. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. The hosts: Eric (Home Energy Independence), Rodney (Rodney Hunt), and Adam (Adam De Lay DIY). Unplugged LIVE streams Thursdays at 8 PM Eastern and 7 PM Central on the Unplugged DIY Solar channel. Email the show: [email protected]

Welcome back to Unplugged LIVE. This week the crew goes back to basics: volts, amps, watts, and battery capacity, explained the way we wish someone had explained it to us. The night opens with Eric's new security camera rollout, then flows into open Q&A pulled straight from the live chat, where the battery math takes over the show. Adam builds the water tank analogy on screen: voltage is pressure, amps are flow, and watt hours are the size of the tank. The crew works a real example: a 100 Ah 12 V battery holds about 1.2 kWh, and once you pick a depth of discharge you can math out how long a refrigerator runs and what actually happens at midnight when the power goes out. Battery bank state of charge drift, balancing, and the equal cable length myth get settled too. The back half covers the Section 232 polysilicon proclamation and what it may do to panel prices: a 15 percent tariff plus price floors of $21 per kilogram for polysilicon and $0.38 per watt for modules, effective December 4, 2026. Plus the EG4 12000XP warranty story, array grounding and ground rods answered from a viewer super chat, the Sunshine Roll Call (the community logged just over a megawatt hour this week), Eric's FlexBoss21 zero production mystery, and RE+ Vegas logistics. Topics in this episode: Back to basics night: volts, amps, watts, and battery capacityThe water tank analogy: pressure, flow, and tank sizeWatt hours vs amp hoursThe 100 Ah 12 V battery: how much energy is really in thereDepth of discharge and usable capacityRefrigerator runtime and sizing a battery bankWhat happens at midnight when the grid goes downState of charge drift, balancing, and the equal cable length mythRaspberry Pi 5 as a Solar Assistant nodeEG4 12000XP warranty story: swap or fix the old inverterThe Section 232 polysilicon proclamation explainedThe $21/kg polysilicon floor and $0.38/W module floor from December 4, 2026Copper, grounding rods, and array groundingSunshine Roll Call: 29 on screen, community just over 1.1 MWh this weekRodney 136.1 kWh in North Carolina on a storm dayEric's zero production FlexBoss21 tampering mysteryCopper thieves, trail cams, and protecting the homesteadRE+ Vegas meetup: tickets, rooms, and plansLinks and resources: Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/Bf7cb7rDnKkSignature Solar: https://signaturesolar.com/?ref=unplugged&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep40 - use code GET50UNPLUGGED for $50 off orders over $500Current Connected: https://currentconnected.com/?ref=AzzpK9Fl&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep40Watch and follow the Unplugged crew: Unplugged DIY SolarAdam De Lay DIYRodney HuntEric | East Texas HomesteadHome Energy IndependenceWatch us live every Thursday at 8 Eastern on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unpluggedsolar Have a question or a solar setup to share? Email us at [email protected] with subject "Unplugged". Disclosure: This description contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Safety note: DIY solar, batteries, inverters, grounding, and backup power wiring can involve dangerous voltages, fire risk, and code requirements. Consult qualified professionals and follow local code and manufacturer instructions.

It is the first episode of Unplugged Weekly, our new weekly DIY solar news format. Eric, Rodney and Adam break down the week in DIY solar: the news, the sunshine report board, and Q&A pulled straight from the live chat. The big story: a federal judge has restored the $7 billion Solar for All program after the EPA terminated it in August 2025. Two court rulings put the money back in play in September. Adam walks through what the program funds, and how to search your state name plus "solar for all" to find the grants and see who qualifies. Then New Jersey legalized plug-in balcony solar: up to 1,200 W per home, UL 3700 certified gear, no utility approval, no city permit, and landlords and HOAs cannot ban it. It takes effect March 1, 2027. Also this week: Pila Energy launched its plug-in mesh home battery at NY Climate Week (it powers out of a standard 120V outlet, and the crew digs into whether mesh anything here is real or a buzzword), UL launched a certification program for vehicle to grid so your EV can double as an 80 to 100 kWh home battery, and Goal Zero recalled 46,200 Yeti 3000X power stations because the circuit board can overheat (the fix is free firmware at recallsupport.goalzero.com). Plus hurricane season prep: test your backup power now, and how to size an inverter generator around the 75 percent sweet spot. Q&A covers rapid shutdown on a detached pergola, the AI agents Eric runs behind the scenes (Hermes, Ollama Cloud, Codex), Tigo CCA with the EG4 12000XP, where to buy panels in the southeast, and the RE+ Vegas meetup taking shape with a form coming on the website. Topics in this episode: The first Unplugged Weekly news format episodeSolar for All is back: a federal judge restored the $7B programHow to find Solar for All grants in your state and who qualifiesNew Jersey balcony solar goes legal: 1,200 W, UL 3700, no permit, HOAs cannot ban itPila Energy plug-in mesh home battery: real or buzzword?UL vehicle-to-grid certification: your EV as an 80 to 100 kWh home batteryGoal Zero Yeti 3000X recall of 46,200 units and the free firmware fixHurricane season prep: test your backup power before the stormGenerator sizing around the 75 percent inverter sweet spotRapid shutdown on a detached pergolaThe AI agents Eric runs: Hermes, Ollama Cloud, CodexTigo CCA with the EG4 12000XPWhere to buy panels in the southeastRE+ Vegas meetup taking shape (form coming on the website)Sunshine report: 174 kWh channel high from SurgeonTech in cloudy Arizona, 37 reporters on screen, Eric closed with 6.3 kWh in TexasLinks and resources: Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/iT_lSmT5awQGoal Zero Yeti 3000X recall fix: https://recallsupport.goalzero.comPila Energy: https://www.pilaenergy.com/Signature Solar: https://signaturesolar.com/?ref=unplugged&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep39 - use code GET50UNPLUGGED for $50 off orders over $500Current Connected: https://currentconnected.com/?ref=AzzpK9Fl&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep39Watch and follow the Unplugged crew: Unplugged DIY SolarAdam De Lay DIYRodney HuntEric | East Texas HomesteadHome Energy IndependenceWatch us live every Thursday at 8 Eastern on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unpluggedsolar Have a question or a solar setup to share? Email us at [email protected] with subject "Unplugged". Disclosure: This description contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Safety note: DIY solar, batteries, transfer switches, generator interlocks, and backup-power wiring can involve dangerous voltages, fire risk, fuel and CO risk, and code requirements. Consult qualified professionals and follow local code. Never run a generator indoors, in a garage, or near windows.

What products are the DIY solar manufacturers missing, and what would they make a killing on if they built it? Eric walked in blind to the topic, so every idea is worked out live, with the chat pile of AAA answers folded in. We cover the centralized communications hub every DIYer wants (the Victron Cerbo model that nobody else copies), the USB dongle grind, a brand agnostic monitoring hub and why it also solves the FCC remote access question, the universal battery communication hub and the battery to battery BMS Tower of Babel (JBD, Pace, Seplos, Pylon), Meshtastick and MeshCore control of inverters with no Wi-Fi, and the two GitHub projects that already exist for it. Plus Eric's watertight solar pergola roof and panel gasket ideas, the solar company that ships your whole kit with wiring diagrams and permit paperwork, the smart breaker and CT per circuit ideas, the inverter that auto starts a generator and the water heater timer trick for Chargeverter loads, alternator charging for 48 volt banks, a dedicated cell level battery screen that pairs like the Blue Eddy fridge power display, PoE powered monitoring per breaker, a customizable MPPT, a 120 volt smart outlet built into the side of the inverter, EcoFlow's Wi-Fi reconnection flaw, EV to MPPT high voltage handshake ideas, and the sunshine report with production totals from around the country. Topics in this episode: The R&D wish list format: what product should exist but does notVictron Cerbo: the single hub model and why nobody else copies itDongle fatigue: four inverters, four dongle setups, zero local bufferingSolar Assistant and the USB hub questionMeshtastick and MeshCore: inverter control with no Wi-Fi, two GitHub projects already existThe solar company that ships wiring diagrams, labels, and permit helpChargeverter timer tricks: 240V water heater timers and smart plugsSmart breakers with timers and the whole smart panel price realityEV batteries under a trailer floor and the EG4 RX 60 under false floor ideaTime of day charge windows and Blue Eddy battery maintenance modeUniversal battery communication hub: JBD, Pace, Seplos, and Pylon all speak their own talkPer breaker PoE monitoring and the Emporia view comparisonCustomizable MPPT: low voltage high amps vs high voltage low ampsVictron 8kW native split phase for the US market rumorsEV to MPPT: the high voltage handshake problem and two step down ideaAlternator charging for 48 volt: EcoFlow and Blue EddieSunshine report: 1.2 MWh channel day, 31 reporting, average 40.5 kWh, weekly highs 775 CTX and 289.4 WIRE Plus Vegas mid November: videos, live streams, and a possible meet and greetEric's Solar Ports build on East Texas Homestead, new videos every TuesdayLinks and resources: Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/BA2lvB1uTtkEric's Solar Ports build series: https://www.youtube.com/@EastTexasHomesteadSignature Solar: https://signaturesolar.com/?ref=unplugged&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep38 - use code UNPLUGGED50OFF for $50 off orders over $500Current Connected: https://currentconnected.com/?ref=AzzpK9Fl&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep38Watch and follow the Unplugged crew: Unplugged DIY SolarAdam De Lay DIYRodney HuntEric | East Texas HomesteadHome Energy IndependenceWatch us live every Thursday at 8 Eastern on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unpluggedsolar Have a question or a solar setup to share? Email us at [email protected] with subject "Unplugged". Disclosure: This description contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Safety note: DIY solar, batteries, transfer switches, generator interlocks, and backup-power wiring can involve dangerous voltages, fire risk, fuel and CO risk, and code requirements. Consult qualified professionals and follow local code. Never run a generator indoors, in a garage, or near windows.

Plug-in solar is the fastest growing corner of DIY solar, and Jeffrey from There's A Trick For That is the guy who tests it hardest. He's back for round two, and the whole episode is plug-in solar: your questions, his real data, zero hype. We cover the 120V vs 240V question (including the two-circuit trick that gets real 240V from two micro-inverters), whether plug-in solar can pair with a whole-home standby generator, battery pairing with portable power stations and raw LiFePO4, what happens when the grid goes down, anti-islanding and why your inverter must shut off, the best zero-export options on the market right now, and why plug-in solar costs what it costs. Plus: Jeffrey walks through the plug-in solar laws sweeping the country (Utah first, roughly nine states with official laws now), the 1,200W continuous rule on a 15A circuit, why balcony solar kits get throttled, a buyer's warning on panel prices (the tariff-driven price floor and what to buy before December 4, 2026), and the sunshine report with weekly production totals from around the country and the world. Topics in this episode: Jeffrey's path from camping channel to plug-in solar specialistWhat plug-in solar is and why states are legalizing itUtah's first-in-the-nation law and the 1,200W continuous rule120V vs 240V plug-in solar and the two micro-inverter 240V workaroundEV charger outlets, 30A circuits, and garage installsAnti-islanding: why grid-tie solar shuts off when the grid goes downGenerator pairing and the backfeed warning on non-bidirectional metersBattery pairing: portable power stations, raw LiFePO4, and the balcony kit battery-buffer trickZero-export options on the market right nowWhat plug-in solar costs and who it's actually worth it forPanel prices: the tariff cliff and what to buy before prices climbSymmetrical 240V loads and pool pump mathSunshine report: 2 MWh channel call, Arizona 218 kWh, international roll callWhere plug-in solar goes next: distributors, panel stocking, and the balcony solar waveLinks and resources: Jeffrey's channel (There's A Trick For That): https://www.youtube.com/@theresatrickforthatJeffrey's website: https://theresatrickforthat.comJeffrey's 6 months of real plug-in solar data: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JQKUQZOMmgJeffrey's first Unplugged appearance (Episode 26): https://youtube.com/live/C8_ghCURkAsSignature Solar: https://signaturesolar.com/?ref=unplugged&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep37 - use code UNPLUGGED50OFF for $50 off orders over $500Current Connected: https://currentconnected.com/?ref=AzzpK9Fl&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep37Watch and follow the Unplugged crew: Unplugged DIY SolarAdam De Lay DIYRodney HuntEric | East Texas HomesteadHome Energy IndependenceWatch us live every Thursday at 8 Eastern on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unpluggedsolar Have a question or a solar setup to share? Email us at [email protected] with subject "Unplugged". Disclosure: This description contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Safety note: DIY solar, batteries, transfer switches, generator interlocks, and backup-power wiring can involve dangerous voltages, fire risk, fuel and CO risk, and code requirements. Consult qualified professionals and follow local code. Never run a generator indoors, in a garage, or near windows.

In this Unplugged LIVE replay, it is DIY solar trivia night. Adam De Lay runs the crew and the chat through 13 scored questions on panels, batteries, wiring, and safety while a live leaderboard builds all night. Perfect scores landed in the wheel of luck for a MidNite SPD giveaway, and @52gulfpapa took it home. We also run the sunshine report with weekly solar production totals from around the country, answer a super chat about the EG4 string calculator, and celebrate the channel crossing 1,000. Topics in this episode: What actually powers a solar panel, and how irradiance is measured with a pyranometerSeries wiring and voltage mathWatt hour math at 50 percent state of chargeWhat a shunt does and why it mattersStandard test conditions vs real world panel outputBMS basics on lithium batteriesWire gauge for low voltage DC runsHeat derating and why panels lose output in extreme heatBypass diodes and shadingSurge ratings and SPD protection120V vs 240V standardsParallel battery capacity mathThe MidNite SPD giveaway wheel and the winnerLinks and resources: Signature Solar: https://signaturesolar.com/?ref=unplugged&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep36 - use code UNPLUGGED50OFF for $50 off orders over $500Current Connected: https://currentconnected.com/?ref=AzzpK9Fl&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep36Watch and follow the Unplugged crew: Unplugged DIY SolarAdam De Lay DIYRodney HuntEric | East Texas HomesteadHome Energy IndependenceWatch us live every Thursday at 8 Eastern on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unpluggedsolar Have a question or a solar setup to share? Email us at [email protected] with subject "Unplugged". Disclosure: This description contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Safety note: DIY solar, batteries, transfer switches, and backup-power systems can involve dangerous voltages, fire risk, and code requirements. Consult qualified professionals and follow local code.

Hurricane Lala knocked out power to more than 180,000 people in Hawaii, and a derecho with 70 to 100 mph winds left 374,000 without power across 53 counties in Indiana. Gary, Indiana waited 14 days for the lights to come back on. Rodney, Eric and Adam break down what these 2026 grid failures mean for people who want real backup power. We get into the practical side: why a 72-hour kit is a good start but two weeks is the goal, which loads matter first (fridge, internet, lights, CPAPs and other medical devices), why a generator is only as good as your fuel supply, and how a solar roll call from the community stacks up. Plus a V2H reality check and what everyone is working on next. Topics in this episode: Hurricane Lala in Hawaii: 180,000+ without powerThe Aug 11 derecho: 374,000 outages across 53 Indiana countiesGary, Indiana: 14 days without electricity72-hour kit vs a two-week backup planMedical loads: CPAPs, oxygen concentrators and consolidatorsGenerators vs solar: fuel dependency and pairing bothV2H reality check after a Tesla Model 3 purchaseSolar roll call from the communityWhat each host is working on nextHave a question or a grid-down story to share? Email us at [email protected] with subject "Unplugged". Disclosure: This description contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Signature Solar: https://signaturesolar.com/?ref=unplugged&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep35Use code UNPLUGGED50OFF for $50 off orders over $500. Current Connected: https://currentconnected.com/?ref=AzzpK9Fl&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep35

Community Night! Eric and Adam walk through 12 DIY solar rookie mistakes from the forums and share their own experiences. EVMux had other plans tonight, so we pivoted to a phone stream. Rodney was out this week. We cover the big ones: starting at 12V instead of 48V, fake MPPT controllers, counterfeit wire gauges, bad MC4 connections, no fuses, reverse polarity, and skipping your power audit. Plus viewer stories from the chat. Topics in this episode: 12V vs 48V systemsWrong breaker for the jobStarting too smallFake MPPT controllersFake rated solar panelsFake wire gauges and copper-clad aluminumBad MC4 connectionsLoose connections and thermal camerasInverter too small / no headroomNo fuses or wrong fusesReverse polarityNo power audit before buyingHave a question or a rookie mistake to share? Email us at [email protected] with subject "Unplugged". Disclosure: This description contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Signature Solar: https://signaturesolar.com/?ref=unplugged&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep34Use code UNPLUGGED50OFF for $50 off orders over $500. Current Connected: https://currentconnected.com/?ref=AzzpK9Fl&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep34

Adam has 24 solar panel optimizers sitting in his shop, ready to install on his coop array that battles tree shade all day. But before he climbs up and wires them in, he wants to know: do these things actually work? In this DIY community night, we break down what DC optimizers (Tigo TS4-A-O) are supposed to do for partial shading, string mismatch, and monitoring. Rodney shares real-world Tigo monitoring data from his parents' house showing 5-6% reclaimed energy. Viewers report 12-15% gains with optimizers on their arrays. We discuss when optimizers are worth the money, when you are better off just buying more panels, partial deployment strategies, the warranty impact of running without TAP and CCA, the high-pitch whine issue on ground mounts, rapid shutdown code requirements, and where to source wire for your solar project. Adam also confirms he has the Anker E10 Power Dock for an upcoming review. Watch us live every Thursday at 8 Eastern on YouTube: Unplugged DIY SolarAdam DeLay DIYRodney HuntEast Texas HomesteadShop solar gear with our affiliate partners: Signature SolarCurrent Connected

In this Unplugged LIVE replay, Dylan Rup, Director of Technical Marketing at EG4 Electronics, joins the show to answer the DIY solar community's questions about the FCC's ban on foreign-produced solar inverters. We cover EG4's Commerce, Texas manufacturing facility and the path to 65% domestic content, what happened to the Nova and the new XR60 all-in-one 60kWh energy storage system, firmware updates for existing products, wired vs wireless connectivity, the LuxPower partnership, what to expect at RE+ in November, and a rapid-fire viewer Q&A on Tigo, buying decisions, and the future of inverter innovation. Read Eric's full article with primary government sources: FCC Bans Foreign-Made Solar Inverters (East Texas Homestead)Topics covered: EG4's response to the FCC inverter ban and existing product complianceWhat EG4 manufactures in Commerce, Texas and the Solar76 partnershipDomestic content tracking and the 65% threshold through 2028The Nova to XR60 strategy shift and the XR60 all-in-one 60kWh systemFirmware updates for existing EG4 productsWired vs wireless: air-gapped systems and the EG4 dongleLuxPower partnership and the EG4 product pipelineGridBOSS, 12KPV, and 6000XP safetySodium ion batteries and inverter innovationWhat to expect at RE+ in NovemberRapid-fire Q&A: Tigo, buying decisions, and firmwareWatch and follow the Unplugged crew: Unplugged DIY SolarAdam DeLay DIYRodney HuntEric | East Texas HomesteadHome Energy IndependenceWatch us live every Thursday at 8 Eastern on YouTube: Unplugged DIY Solar Want to share your own solar setup? Send pictures to [email protected] with the subject "Unplugged". Affiliate links: Signature Solar: signaturesolar.com (use code UNPLUGGED50OFF for $50 off orders over $500)Current Connected: currentconnected.comDisclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, Unplugged may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Safety note: DIY solar, batteries, transfer switches, generator interlocks, inverters, and backup-power wiring can involve dangerous voltages, fire risk, fuel/CO risk, and code requirements. Consult qualified professionals and follow local code.

The FCC just banned approval of all foreign-made inverters. Here's what that means for anyone doing DIY solar right now. Read Eric's full article with primary government sources: FCC Bans Foreign-Made Solar Inverters: DIY Solar Guide On July 28, the FCC ruled that no new foreign-made inverter can receive FCC certification unless 65% of its component value is US-sourced. If you already own an inverter with an FCC ID, you're fine. But new models, hardware revisions, and anything with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular communication may never reach the US market. We break down the actual ruling text from FCC.gov, talk about who's affected (EG4, Victron, SMA, SRNE, and every power station brand), and share our predictions for what comes next: communication-less inverters, a boom for Solar Assistant, and a possible component-based workaround via Victron's Cerbo GX. Plus: Adam's 12000XP is finally running, Rodney drove a Tesla Model Y Performance, the Sunshine Report hits 2 megawatts, and we answer viewer questions about solar yield reporting, adding a second FlexBOSS 21, and dongle setup on the V2 12000XP. Chapters: 0:00 Welcome and what's happening this week2:40 Rodney test-drove a Tesla Model Y Performance4:09 Adam's 12000XP is running (6000XPs are out)7:14 The FCC inverter ban: how we found out8:12 TL;DR: what the ruling actually says10:00 65% US-made requirement and who's affected (Victron too)12:30 The DJI drone ban parallel15:30 Existing inverters are safe, but what about updates?18:25 Chat Q: What does FCC have to do with solar?19:07 The Wi-Fi dongle workaround idea20:08 Reading the actual FCC ruling text25:00 Wireless vs. wired: where's the line?28:30 Power stations (EcoFlow, Anker) are affected too29:00 We're going to RE+ 202630:00 Predictions: communication-less inverters and Solar Assistant31:00 Victron's Cerbo GX loophole38:48 Tangent: Flock cameras and surveillance39:10 Sunshine Report: community solar production45:25 Mid-show recap and podcast reminder52:22 1984 and George Orwell53:54 Q&A: How to read your solar yield55:15 Eric shares screen: 12000XP solar yield (43.9 kWh)57:17 Q: Orient Power battery settings on Mac vs PC58:52 Q: Adding a second FlexBOSS 21 and dongle setup1:01:12 What's coming up next1:02:08 Adam: Starlink 1-year review, FCC video, EV side-by-side 90 days1:04:50 Rodney: Bluetti charge controller testing1:05:31 Sign-off Watch us live every Thursday at 8 Eastern on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unpluggedsolar Watch and follow the Unplugged crew: Unplugged DIY SolarAdam DeLay DIYRodney HuntEric | East Texas HomesteadHome Energy Independence Want to share your own solar setup? Send pictures to [email protected] with the subject "Unplugged". Affiliate links: Signature Solar: signaturesolar.com (use code UNPLUGGED50 for $50 off orders over $500)Current Connected: currentconnected.com Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, Unplugged may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Safety note: DIY solar, batteries, transfer switches, generator interlocks, inverters, and backup-power wiring can involve dangerous voltages, fire risk, fuel/CO risk, and code requirements. Consult qualified professionals and follow local code.

When planning a DIY off-grid solar setup, most people price out the "Big Three": panels, hybrid inverters, and battery banks, and think they have their total budget figured out. The reality? Balance of System costs, heavy copper wiring, specialized tools, and ground mount prep can easily add thousands to your final bill. In this Unplugged LIVE replay, Adam and Eric walk through the hidden budget killers that catch DIY solar builders off guard. They cover where you can safely save money, where cutting corners will cost you big time, and the 30% rule: plan to spend at least 30% more than your Big Three components cost. Topics covered: The "Big Three" vs Balance of System: what you forget to budget forExtra wires, battery cables, and AC wiring costsCopper wire pricing: Eric's real-world #6 to #3 AWG upgrade storyCircuit breakers: why cheap DC breakers are dangerous and name brands matterClass T fuses and surge protection devices (SPD) as cheap insuranceMultimeters: why you need a DC clamp meter, not just a cheap onePanel mounting: roof vs ground mount, torque specs, and fire ant damageInverter self-consumption: how idle draw changes your battery sizingThe 30% rule: budget 30% on top of your Big Three for hidden costsEric's 12000XP upgrade from 6000XPs: breaker and wire gauge changesLightning and EMP protection: SPD ratings explainedAnker Solix E10 battery monitoring limitations vs server rack batteriesSolar roll call: weekly production dashboard and community updatesEric's upcoming content: 17 episodes of porch build and solar shed projectWatch and follow the Unplugged crew: Unplugged DIY SolarAdam DeLay DIYRodney HuntEric | East Texas HomesteadHome Energy IndependenceWant to share your own solar setup or be considered as a guest? Email [email protected] with the subject "Unplugged". Affiliate links: Signature Solar: signaturesolar.com - use code UNPLUGGED50 for $50 off orders over $500Current Connected: currentconnected.comDisclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, Unplugged may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Safety note: DIY solar, batteries, inverters, and electrical wiring can involve dangerous voltages, fire risk, and code requirements. Consult qualified professionals and follow local code. Watch us live every Thursday at 8 Eastern on YouTube: youtube.com/@UnpluggedSolar

Beau from Better Together Homestead (311K subscribers) has 4,000 watts of Sungold solar panels on a ground mount, and right now almost none of that power is being used. No inverter, no battery bank, just portable power stations. In this Unplugged LIVE replay, Eric, Rodney, and Adam build Beau a real solar plan on air. This is a live consultation, not a product pitch. The crew walks through Beau's electrical setup, his 200-amp panel, his 230-foot underground aluminum run, his daily energy usage, and his goals for off-grid capability. Together they work through inverter options (EG4 FlexBOSS 21 + GridBOSS vs 12000XP), battery sizing, wiring planning, and how to phase the build from panels to batteries to a full 14,000-watt array. Topics covered: Beau's homestead background: 7.5 acres, converted shed home, Texas4,000W of Sungold panels on IntegraRack ground mount, no inverter yetAirSpool micro inverter and portable power station stopgap200-amp panel, 230-foot aluminum underground run, 3% voltage lossDaily usage: 1,400 to 1,500 kWh/month, 46 to 50 kWh/dayEG4 FlexBOSS 21 + GridBOSS for the house (hybrid, grid-tied with battery)EG4 12000XP or 6000XP for the shed/building (off-grid)GridBOSS manual bypass for emergency backupBattery installation and expandability with quick connectsAnker Solix E10 as an alternative plug-and-play systemMicroinverters (Hoymiles) as a cost vs simplicity tradeoffPhasing the build: panels first, batteries second, expand to 14,000WFollow Beau: Better Together Homestead on YouTubeWatch and follow the Unplugged crew: Unplugged DIY SolarAdam DeLay DIYRodney HuntEric | East Texas HomesteadHome Energy Independence Want to share your own solar setup or be considered as a guest? Email [email protected] with the subject "Unplugged". Affiliate links: Signature Solar: signaturesolar.com - use code UNPLUGGED50 for $50 off orders over $500Current Connected: currentconnected.com Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, Unplugged may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Safety note: DIY solar, batteries, inverters, and electrical wiring can involve dangerous voltages, fire risk, and code requirements. Consult qualified professionals and follow local code. Watch us live every Thursday at 8 Eastern on YouTube: youtube.com/@UnpluggedSolar

If you had $1,000 to start preparing for a power outage, what would you buy first? In this Unplugged LIVE replay, Rodney, Adam, Eric, and the live chat compare practical beginner backup-power options: generators, portable power stations, 12V and 48V batteries, budget inverters, used solar panels, plug-in solar, wind turbines, and simple setups for keeping essentials running. This episode is for people who are not ready for a full whole-home solar system yet, but still want a realistic path to keep a fridge, freezer, internet, fan, electric blanket, or small loads powered during an outage. Topics covered: The $1,000 backup power challenge Generator vs portable power station vs DIY battery backup Used solar panels, budget inverters, and cheap starter hardware Why plug-in solar does not work when the grid is down 48V batteries and small power stations as a budget combo Hot-weather and cold-weather outage priorities Wind turbine ideas, Harmony Turbines, and RidgeBlade discussion Why “one is none” matters for backup powerWatch and follow the Unplugged crew: Unplugged DIY Solar Adam DeLay DIY Rodney Hunt Eric | East Texas Homestead Home Energy IndependenceWant to share your own solar setup? Email [email protected] with the subject “Unplugged”. Affiliate links: Signature Solar: signaturesolar.com - use code UNPLUGGED50 for $50 off orders over $500 Current Connected: currentconnected.comDisclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, Unplugged may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Safety note: DIY solar, batteries, generator interlocks, inverters, and backup-power wiring can involve dangerous voltages, fire risk, fuel/CO risk, and code requirements. Consult qualified professionals and follow local code. Watch us live every Thursday at 8 Eastern on YouTube: youtube.com/@UnpluggedSolar