How to Divert Excess Solar Energy into Water Heating, EV Charging, and Crypto Mining

When your solar battery hits 100% and the sun keeps shining bright, what do you do with all that excess energy? In this episode of Unplugged Live, Adam, Rodney, and Eric dive into practical strategies for diverting surplus solar power to maximize your system's efficiency and utility.Tune in as they explore solutions like connecting a second water heater to soak up extra energy, using smart dumping loads for space heating, and setting up electric vehicle chargers that only draw when your battery is full. Rodney shares his real-world experience running a crypto miner powered by solar — a surprising off-grid heat source — and they’ll break down the specific inverter models from EG4 and others that support smart load diversion.This episode covers:• How to use smart ports on hybrid inverters for diverting power• Setting triggers based on battery state of charge to avoid wasting energy• Comparing inverter capabilities including EG4’s 6000XP, 12000XP FlexBoss, and GridBoss• Real-world examples of excess power use in water heating, EV charging, and crypto mining• Cautions and best practices to avoid damaging your system when using dump loadsAdam, Rodney, and Eric also engage with live chat, sharing listener input and answering questions about their setups and experiences.If you’re eager to stop losing free solar energy and want actionable insights on how to capture every usable watt for water, warmth, or wheels, this episode has you covered.For additional visuals and project examples, check out East Texas Homestead Unplugged SolarAdam DeLay DIY, and Rodney Hunt on YouTube.Solar Roll Call:- Host production: Rodney: 149 kWh (NC) | Adam: 47 kWh (MI)- Audience stats: 25 submissions | Avg 44.8 kWh | Median 30 kWh | @SurgeonTech led with 200 kWh (AZ)- Top audience producers: @SurgeonTech (200 kWh, AZ) | @billbarker5468 (153 kWh, KY) | @kenh7521 (73 kWh)🔗 Affiliate Links:Signature Solar: https://signaturesolar.com/?ref=unpluggedCoupon Code: SAVE50UNPLUGGED ($50 off orders over $500)