Tracking 2026 Solar Production, Electricity Use, Battery SOC, and Generator Use
For 2026, I’ve added daily string-level tracking of solar production for the house and studio, in addition to data about our daily energy use, minimum battery SOC, and whether a generator was needed for any given day.
2025 Solar Production, Electricity Use, Battery SOC, and Generator Use
We made it through 2025 without needing electricity from any source other than the sun, and without enduring any level of hardship or even inconvenience.
The Beauty of Thermal Mass (more about the buffer tank dump load)
While people talk about all sorts of sometimes "exotic" approaches to storing heat, it's pretty hard to beat a big ol' slab of concrete.
My Very Nerdy Experiment Heating with Solar via a Buffer Tank
I’ve been working on a very nerdy heating experiment to use more solar and less propane for heating, when possible. It’s working pretty well!
One Year Off Grid. Zero Use of Generator!
It feels GREAT to have lived a full year off grid, without needing to use a generator.