☀️ DIY Off-Grid Solar (Basics to Build With Confidence)
DIY solar power can feel overwhelming at first — but this video breaks it down step-by-step so you can actually think through a system instead of guessing.
🔌 Start with the 5 core pieces
🟦 Panels (make power)
🎛️ Charge controller (manages charging)
🔋 Batteries (store power)
🔄 Inverter (runs AC devices)
🧠 Planning (the part that saves you money)
📏 Sizing your system (the right way)
⚡ Figure out what you need to run (not everything)
🧾 Treat power like a budget: don’t spend more than you make
📊 Use a kill-a-watt style meter to measure real usage
🔋 Batteries (the most misunderstood part)
🪫 Why battery type matters (deep cycle vs car battery)
📉 Why you can’t use 100% of capacity (realistic planning)
🎚️ MPPT vs PWM (why it matters)
🚀 MPPT = typically more efficient + better for longer wire runs
🧩 PWM = simpler/cheaper for small setups
🧰 Mounting + wiring efficiency
🌞 Placement and tilt affect output more than most people realize
📉 Long wire runs = more loss (planning saves $$)
🛡️ Safety (don’t skip this)
🔥 Fuses/breakers, disconnects, grounding
⚠️ If you’re unsure, get a qualified electrician to review your setup
🏡 Living with solar
🌤️ Use “high-draw” stuff when the sun is strongest
❄️ Plan for cloudy stretches and seasonal changes
🔗 Parts list + schematics + guide page: http://goo.gl/e5uZ49
💬 Question for the group: are you building solar for backup, cabin/off-grid, or full-time?