154 kWh Today, Off grid —My EG4 Microgrid Still Clipped Solar! #eg4 #ankersolix #offgridsolar #solar

System performance (Arizona, hot day)

• Around 4:00 p.m., the system reports:
  • 95°F
  • ~11 kW from solar
  • “a lot of clipping” despite plenty of sun.
• By almost 7:00 p.m., PV output drops to:
  • ~375 W
  • then ~289 W at 7:00.

Clipping analysis / what it means

The creator emphasizes that clipping is happening “no matter what I do” because, at times, solar generation exceeds what the system/load can accept.

Daytime production pattern described

• Starts producing a little over 1,000 W around ~6:00 a.m.
• Rises to ~17–21 kW by late morning/midday
• Peaks at ~21 kW near 12:00
• Output then drops for about an hour, described as a period when PV is being “lost” due to clipping

Why it worsened

Clipping worsened after the creator returned home and turned on more loads, including adjusting AC setpoints.

Loads being run (HVAC + kitchen + laundry)

Whole-home AC / HVAC (major controllable load)

• Two main HVAC units used for sleeping areas:
  • 4-ton
  • 2.5-ton
• An additional ~5-ton supports the main area.
• Setpoints are around 72°F at night, sometimes 71°F.

Other cooling loads

• Two Pioneer mini-splits running 24/7 to keep a garage/equipment area cool
  • About 72–73°F
• The creator notes they like keeping the garage usable (not scorching in Arizona).

High-energy cooking and laundry

• Cooking:
  • Wife is a baker, so ovens are non-stop.
• Laundry:
  • Frequent use: about 25 loads
  • Uses an older non-efficient dryer
  • The dryer’s sensor is broken, so it’s timer-based, leading to more wasted energy
  • Planned upgrade: possibly a higher-efficiency dryer, though they’re unsure if it’s necessary

Battery behavior and expansion plan

Current battery setup and observed performance

• Initially mentioned: 8 EG4 batteries
• An “eighth battery added” helped overnight.
• Despite aggressive testing and loads, they report waking with relatively high state of charge:
  • Around 62–65%
  • Average around ~62%
  • (One comment notes a hospital schedule impacted the day.)

Battery ramp testing approach

• Plan is to expand one battery at a time
• Monitor performance over the following weeks.

Battery capacity goal (8 → 9/10 batteries)

• Discussion focuses on moving from 8 to potentially 10 EG4 batteries for summer months to avoid grid interaction.
• Notes:
  • 10 is described as a “good number”
  • 9 might be overkill
  • 10 is framed as the “sweet spot”

Electrical distribution constraint

They need to expand the bus bar because available ports are maxed:

• 12 usable ports are described as “pretty much all taken up.”
• Proposed upgrade:
  • Add another “1,000 Blue Sea bus bar, 1,000 amps” to improve expandability/testing.

Solar array details / planned growth

Current array

• 58 panels installed
• 22 more planned
• Panels:
  • 450W bifacial, N-type half-cell
• System components and mounting:
  • Tigo optimizers
  • Panels on a multi-angled roof
• Additions strategy:
  • Most additional panels planned for the west side to increase afternoon coverage
  • Sun down is around ~7:00

Expected results after adding panels

• Total: ~80 panels
• Estimated PV capacity: ~35–36 kW
• Expected benefits they claim:
  • Better early production
  • Maintains output later into the evening
  • Cites still seeing ~150–200 W close to ~8:00 p.m.

Additional PV module discussed

• An extra ~18 kW PV module is mentioned as currently on the floor and not installed
• They plan to install it since they already purchased it.

Backup / grid strategy

Backup components discussed

• Anker Solix backup components
• About ~30 kWh using:
  • 3,800+ units
  • F3000 units
• Positioned for backup and generator-like use.

Grid interaction

• The system has been described as mostly cut off from the grid for a couple of weeks so far.
• They suggest the grid could be used as a generator if needed, though they don’t expect to use it much.

Cost / utility context

• Reference point: monthly/continuous usage
• Bills (or usage) described as typically around ~$1,000 over 4–5 months, excluding extra fees.

Firmware / product-review style takeaway

• The video acts more like a performance walkthrough / field test than a formal review.
• They repeatedly verify:
  • real-world outputs vs. expected capacity
• Clipping is interpreted as a system/load mismatch, not a problem with solar itself.
• They track battery % overnight to decide how much storage is needed.

Main speakers / sources

• Primary speaker: The video owner/installer (speaks in first person; discusses EG4, Anker Solix, HVAC loads, and testing).
• Referenced products/brands (not separate speakers):
  • EG4
  • Anker Solix
  • Tigo
  • Blue Sea bus bar
  • Pioneer mini-splits