Solar Systems (DIY & Plug-In)

Step-by-step installs, plug-in solar experiments, and full home system builds to help you produce electricity instead of just paying for it.

Generate your own power and reduce dependence on utilities (8 Videos)

Duration: 2 Hours, 18 Minutes, 34 Seconds

Data & Planning Tools

☀️ Solar Production & Output Data

Average Solar Production in California (USA)
https://shrinkthatfootprint.com/average-solar-production-in-california-usa/
How Much Electricity Does an American Home Use? (EIA Data)
https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=97&t=3

🔌 System Design & Technical Setup

How to Wire Solar Panels in Series vs. Parallel
https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/do-you-wire-solar-panels-series-or-parallel

⚡ Energy Consumption & Load Planning

Power Consumption of Typical Household Appliances
https://www.daftlogic.com/information-appliance-power-consumption.htm

💵 Electricity Cost Benchmarks

Average Electricity Bill, Usage & Price per kWh by State (Feb 2026)
https://electricityplans.com/average-electricity-bill-usage-rate-by-state/

Plug In Solar – 2 Minutes 🌞 (NO BS!)

Link to Solar Panel: https://amzn.to/41638iY
Link to Micro Inverter: https://amzn.to/4qNT3m7

In this video, I show you the easiest, fastest, and most affordable way to install plug-and-play grid-connected solar at home. If you …can plug in a toaster — you can start generating clean solar energy. 🔌🌞

This DIY plug-in solar setup instantly helps offset your electricity costs, lower your energy usage, and fight rising utility rates. It’s one of the best starter solar solutions for homeowners looking to save money with renewable energy. 🏡💡

Safety First
Before installing any grid-tied solar system:
• ✅ Check your local building/electrical codes
• ✅ Contact your power company / utility provider
• ✅ Consult with a licensed electrician

Remember – Safety first! 👍🌍Show More

Plug In Solar – 2 Minutes 🌞 (NO BS!)

Link to Solar Panel: https://amzn.to/41638iY Link to Micro Inverter: …

Plugged A Solar Panel Into My Home For 7 Days | Here's What Happened

Calculate Solar Cost For Your Home – https://geni.us/solar_reviews 2 …

DIY Plug-In Solar Power LEGAL in All 50 States! (First Look at Craftstrom Solar)

This changes EVERYTHING. For the first time ever, a DIY plug-in solar …

This changes EVERYTHING. For the first time ever, a DIY plug-in solar power system is 100% legal in all 50 states! Thanks to Craftstrom Solar’s smart power meter technology, you …can finally set up your own home solar — no permits, no backfeed, just plug some stuff in!
There’s A Trick For That is the first YouTube channel in the world to test this revolutionary system, and in this video I’ll show you:
Exactly how it works
Why this kit is legal everywhere
General cost overview
This could be the biggest breakthrough in home solar power since solar panels — and it’s finally available to EVERYONE, everywhere!

Buy a Craftstrom 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 to save some considerable cash: THERESATRICKFORTHAT

Buy individual Craftstrom Solar Components: https://craftstrom.com/shop/ref/2/#individual-products
IMPORTANT: Be sure and use the exclusive discount code for viewers of There’s A Trick For That at checkout to save some considerable cash: THERESATRICKFORTHAT

Buy MC4 disconnect tool: https://amzn.to/4pzgHSK

Buy heavy-duty outdoor-rated extension cord: https://amzn.to/3TNEKCb

Link to playlist of all Craftstrom Solar videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-2uuHDasQcqTQtaY11i9MyMo-YJ5qB2n

Watch all of my solar power videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-2uuHDasQcpSfUqgyHLbT29Wk4gxLkk7

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 Plug & Play Solar is Legal EVERYWHERE!!!
0:53 What’s included in the 800-watt Craftstrom Solar kit
2:30 Smart Power Meter – Prevents Back Feeding Power to the Grid
3:44 Smart Breaker for Shared Circuits
4:29 Smart batteries
4:44 Overview of the future content coming about Craftstrom Solar
6:04 What about cost?

#craftstromsolar
#pluginsolar
#savemoney
#diysolar
#theresatrickforthat
#savemoney
#solar
#UtahSolar
#SolarPanels
#DIY
#HomeSolar
#EnergySavings

Why This Solar Kit Is Different:
Most DIY plug-in solar systems run into the same issue: they’re technically not legal in many states because of the risk of backfeeding power into the grid. That usually means you need permits, inspections, & grid tie agreements. The Craftstrom Solar plug & play system solves that problem with a built-in smart power meter that automatically manages energy flow. That makes it safe, reliable, and legal in all 50 states and worldwide.
Who Can Use Craftstrom Solar:
This system is designed for anyone who wants easy, affordable solar power at home without the red tape. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to lower your energy bill, a renter who can’t install a permanent solar array, or someone in an apartment who just wants to offset energy costs, this plug-and-play kit makes solar power accessible to everyone.
How It Works:
The Craftstrom Solar system is as simple as it gets:
1. Mount your panels.
2. Connect the smart power meter.
3. Plug it into your wall outlet.
The power flows directly into your home’s loads, reducing your electric bill instantly. Thanks to the smart meter design, there’s no risk of backfeeding power into the grid, which is what makes it completely legal everywhere.
Why It Matters:
This isn’t just another solar gadget — it’s a game-changer for the solar industry. For the first time, everyday people can add clean energy to their home without permits, without electricians, and without breaking the law. It’s truly plug, play, and start saving.

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.Show More

$1,000 Solar Setup vs My Electric Bill

Let’s find out if a small power station or solar generator setup can …

Let’s find out if a small power station or solar generator setup can save you money on your electric bill!

☀️ SOLAR CALCULATOR – estimate savings for your home, get free …quotes from local solar companies
https://www.solarreviews.com/solar-estimator?aff=162985&cam=851

📈 SPREADSHEET
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pd4zdFHx9IPsiFSUxKUPsfKhqbQFKjsWnbHjQUARIig/edit?usp=sharing

🛒 PRODUCTS used in this video
• EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus – https://amzn.to/3Qolc29
• Renogy 200W Solar Panel – https://amzn.to/3CQGxOM (a good option but a cheaper alternative would be two 100W panels)
• Solar extension cable – https://amzn.to/3QiVGvy (again, a good option but not the cheapest)
• XT60i adapter cable – https://amzn.to/3QjHy4U
• Govee Smart Plug – https://amzn.to/3Qj7MVo

🔢 MY FREE SOLAR TOOLS
• Solar Panel Tilt Angle Calculator ➔ https://footprinthero.com/solar-panel-tilt-angle-calculator
• Solar Panel Azimuth Angle Calculator ➔ https://footprinthero.com/solar-panel-azimuth-angle-calculator
• Peak Sun Hours Calculator ➔ https://footprinthero.com/peak-sun-hours-calculator

👋 CONNECT WITH FOOTPRINT HERO!
• Blog ➔ https://footprinthero.com/
• TikTok ➔ https://www.tiktok.com/@footprinthero
• Instagram ➔ https://www.instagram.com/footprint.hero/

Note: This video is not sponsored. I purchased all the solar equipment shown in this video with my own money.

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This solar setup relies heavily on 2 overlooked features available in some EcoFlow power stations, such as the EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus: TOU (Time-of-Use) mode and Self-powered mode. (Two other EcoFlow power stations I own, the River 2 and River 3, have a variation of these features called “Energy management” and “Backup reserve” respectively.)

Using a solar generator setup to lower your electric bill doesn’t seem to be a popular use case, but I figured I’d give it a shot since power stations and solar generators are oftentimes sitting around collecting dust when they’re not being used for backup power or power on-the-go. And EcoFlow does market their TOU and Self-powered modes as being good for this sort of thing, after all.

The appliances I powered weren’t optimal in terms of energy usage. Some of you may be able to use a setup like this to run appliances that use 2-3x the energy on a daily basis, and therefore offset with solar — or shift the pricing period of — 2-3x the energy that I was able to. If you’re doing this sort of thing with your power station / solar generator, I’d be curious to hear what sort of savings you’re seeing!

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Editor: Javan Khabi
https://elkhabijavan.wixsite.com/mysite

Music:
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/seawater – License code: 9ZCIUEK6HJQC3PD0

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DISCLAIMERS

Some of the links in this video description and in the comments below are affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one, I may earn a commission which will help fund more videos like this one. Thank you! 🙏

For general informational purposes only. Nothing in this video is intended to be professional solar or electrical advice. Please consult with a licensed professional in their field of expertise in your jurisdiction.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Show More