I’m Josh. I’m building a comprehensive off-grid solar system for my home at ~7,000 feet elevation in New Mexico.

This site documents the technical decisions, the data, and the mistakes along the way. It’s not a how-to guide or a gear review blog. It’s closer to an engineering journal. I write about what I’m actually building, what the data is actually showing, and what I got wrong.

I’m technically hands-on. I’ve done DIY battery builds, I run Home Assistant for monitoring and automation, and I debug protocol-level integrations. But I’m not a professional installer or electrician. The site’s credibility comes from being a real-world practitioner thinking through real problems, not from credentials.

If you’re building something similar, or seriously planning to, I hope this is useful. If you’re just here because you find this stuff interesting, that works too.

Current System

Last updated: April 2026

Solar

  • Victron SmartSolar MPPT 450/100 charge controller
  • Roof-mounted panel array (details TBD as second string comes online)

Storage

  • 32 kWh LiFePO4 battery bank
  • EVE MB31 Grade A cells, DIY-built
  • Planned expansion to 64 kWh

Inverter

  • Schneider Electric Conext XW+ (current)
  • Planned upgrade: dual Victron MultiPlus II 5000VA

Monitoring & Automation

  • Home Assistant on HAOS
  • Venus OS on Raspberry Pi (Victron device integration)
  • MQTT for device telemetry
  • Nightly automated data logging to HA long-term statistics

EV Charging

  • IYILO RA48 (convertible 48-amp, 240V)
  • OCPP 1.6J integration via HACS (lbbrhzn/ocpp)
  • Local control and telemetry via Home Assistant

Infrastructure

  • Starlink internet
  • Propane for heating and hot water (electrification planned)
  • 2,200 sq ft total (1,100 actively heated)