Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
STOP buying more batteries! I made a massive mistake in my solar journey that cost me thousands, and in this video, I’m showing you exactly how to avoid it. Most people think the solution to running out of power at night is just "buying more storage." They’re wrong. I’m breaking down why Energy Automation is 10x more effective (and cheaper) than adding more lithium capacity. Regardless if you have a massive DIY off-grid power shed or a portable EcoFlow/Bluetti setup, this strategy will change how you look at energy forever.
Buy cost effective smart devices at Meross: shop.meross.com/collections/deals?ref=jeja
Be sure to use the code: JEJA10
OR buy on Amazon: amzn.to/3OMryeh
Buy a Home Assistant Hub: amzn.to/4kQEATY
Or build your own Raspberry Pi: amzn.to/40eLvgx
If you just want Z-Wave devices to connect, you can check this out: amzn.to/4qQEZr7
Check out everything about Home Assistant: home-assistant.io
Check out Solar Assistant: solar-assistant.io
Watch all my solar project style videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-2uuHDasQcpSfUqgyHLbT29Wk4gxLkk7
NEED HELP? Ask me a question and get a personal in depth response: ko-fi.com/s/8d8df1880c
OR
Sit down for a personal 1-On-1 hour long video consultation with me and I’ll provide answers and insights to anything you want to ask me about from this channel: ko-fi.com/s/dd139831a7
All donations get 100% re-invested in the channel:
buymeacoffee.com/theresatrickforthat
🔍 Looking for something specific? Search across hundreds of my videos — way better than YouTube search: https://tatftsearchapp.netlify.app/
Chapters:
0:00 My Most Expensive Solar Mistake
0:24 How to avoid my mistake.
1:48 Full breakdown on energy automation systems
7:54 Do you agree with my thought process?
#theresatrickforthat
#SolarEnergy
#DIYSolar
#HomeAssistant
#EcoFlow
#OffGrid
#SaveMoney
#RenewableEnergy
#SolarMistakes
#SmartHome
Affiliate Disclosure
As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you! Thanks for your support!
Disclaimer: Due to factors beyond the control of There's a Trick for That, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. There's a Trick for That assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. There's a Trick for That recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of There's a Trick for That, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not There's a Trick for That.
STOP buying more batteries! I made a massive mistake in my solar journey that cost me thousands, and in this video, I’m showing you exactly how to avoid it. Most people think the solution to running out of power at night is just "buying more storage." They’re wrong. I’m breaking down why Energy Automation is 10x more effective (and cheaper) than adding more lithium capacity. Regardless if you have a massive DIY off-grid power shed or a portable EcoFlow/Bluetti setup, this strategy will change how you look at energy forever.
Buy cost effective smart devices at Meross: shop.meross.com/collections/deals?ref=jeja
Be sure to use the code: JEJA10
OR buy on Amazon: amzn.to/3OMryeh
Buy a Home Assistant Hub: amzn.to/4kQEATY
Or build your own Raspberry Pi: amzn.to/40eLvgx
If you just want Z-Wave devices to connect, you can check this out: amzn.to/4qQEZr7
Check out everything about Home Assistant: home-assistant.io
Check out Solar Assistant: solar-assistant.io
Watch all my solar project style videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-2uuHDasQcpSfUqgyHLbT29Wk4gxLkk7
NEED HELP? Ask me a question and get a personal in depth response: ko-fi.com/s/8d8df1880c
OR
Sit down for a personal 1-On-1 hour long video consultation with me and I’ll provide answers and insights to anything you want to ask me about from this channel: ko-fi.com/s/dd139831a7
All donations get 100% re-invested in the channel:
buymeacoffee.com/theresatrickforthat
🔍 Looking for something specific? Search across hundreds of my videos — way better than YouTube search: https://tatftsearchapp.netlify.app/
Chapters:
0:00 My Most Expensive Solar Mistake
0:24 How to avoid my mistake.
1:48 Full breakdown on energy automation systems
7:54 Do you agree with my thought process?
#theresatrickforthat
#SolarEnergy
#DIYSolar
#HomeAssistant
#EcoFlow
#OffGrid
#SaveMoney
#RenewableEnergy
#SolarMistakes
#SmartHome
Affiliate Disclosure
As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you! Thanks for your support!
Disclaimer: Due to factors beyond the control of There's a Trick for That, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. There's a Trick for That assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. There's a Trick for That recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of There's a Trick for That, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not There's a Trick for That.
![How Much Does Plug-In Solar ACTUALLY Save? [6 Months of REAL Data]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5JQKUQZOMmg/mqdefault.jpg "How Much Does Plug-In Solar ACTUALLY Save? [6 Months of REAL Data]
After 6 months running an 800W Craftstrom plug-in solar kit, I finally have REAL data showing how much plug-in solar actually saves on an electric bill. This plug-and-play / balcony solar system produced about 500 kWh and saved roughly $70 at this homes ~$0.14/kWh electricity rate. But shade, daytime energy usage and zero-export throttling dramatically affected the result.
In this long-term Craftstrom solar review, I break down the real solar production, electric bill savings, ROI/payback period, zero-export performance, shared-circuit protection, microinverter and Wi-Fi issues, and why adding battery storage could potentially move this installation from roughly a 15-year payback toward about 4 years. If youre researching plug-in solar, balcony solar, plug-and-play solar kits, DIY solar, zero-export solar or whether plug-in solar is worth it, these are the real-world numbers I wish existed when I started.
Buy a Craftstrom Plug-In Solar Kit: https://craftstrom.com/shop/ref/2/
IMPORTANT: Be sure and use the exclusive discount code for viewers of There’s A Trick For That at checkout: THERESATRICKFORTHAT
Watch my full Craftstrom Solar playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-2uuHDasQcqTQtaY11i9MyMo-YJ5qB2n
Watch all of my plug-in solar kit videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-2uuHDasQcpYK6Gwr3jWb_oNBDt4IKwK
Buy the smart breaker for the plug-in solar kit: https://craftstrom.com/product/safety-gate-adapter/ref/2/
IMPORTANT: Be sure and use the exclusive discount code for viewers of There’s A Trick For That at checkout: THERESATRICKFORTHAT
Watch how I added golf cart battery expansion to the Craftstrom kit: https://youtu.be/2KjfZpPuvHc
Buy my Favorite Golf Cart Battery Kit: https://amzn.to/4c3JCcF
Buy an MPPT solar charge controller: https://amzn.to/4wBrBtx
Buy a heavy-duty outdoor-rated extension cord: https://amzn.to/4xaHYyi
Buy a WiFi range extender: https://amzn.to/4c28f9F
NEED HELP? Ask me a question and get a personal in depth response: https://ko-fi.com/s/8d8df1880c
OR
Sit down for a personal 1-On-1 hour long video consultation with me and I’ll provide answers and insights to anything you want to ask me about from this channel: https://ko-fi.com/s/dd139831a7
All donations get 100% re-invested in the channel:
https://buymeacoffee.com/theresatrickforthat
🔍 Looking for something specific? Search across hundreds of my videos — way better than YouTube search: https://search.theresatrickforthat.com/
Chapters:
0:00 How much money has my plug-in solar kit saved me over the last 6 months?
0:15 I’ve been testing the plug-in solar kit from Craftstrom Solar
3:10 Some very exciting news from Craftstrom!
3:53 Some issues and improvements I’d like to see
6:14 Let me tell you what I love about this system!
6:53 How much money has this kit actually saved me so far?
10:33 Do you want to see a long term test on adding battery storage?
#PlugInSolar #BalconySolar #PlugAndPlaySolar #DIYSolar #SolarSavings
Affiliate Disclosure
As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you! Thanks for your support!
Disclaimer: Due to factors beyond the control of There’s a Trick for That, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. There’s a Trick for That assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. There’s a Trick for That recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of There’s a Trick for That, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not There’s a Trick for That.")
