zlacker

The solar fridge thing is one of the more interesting points.

For my own off the grid setup, I went with a cheep high efficiency chest freezer ($200) and converted it to a fridge using a replacement thermostat. It's about 10x less expensive than the equivalent DC fridge, has much better insulation, and does the job. I then spent a tiny fraction of the savings on a couple of extra solar panels to cover any loss in conversion from DC to AC to DC.

>>alex_y+(OP)
Do "chest fridges" have a higher risk of mold? With a chest freezer, humidity just frosts onto the walls and you can periodically defrost and empty it.

With a fridge, moisture from foods and opening the door would collect on the bottom, unless you've got it tipped on its side? Even still, given how deep it is I would think that might be problematic.

FWIW I live in a very humid climate, so maybe it isn't so much an issue for you.

>>zdragn+E
Honestly IDK. There is a drain in the bottom, and the sides and bottom are all actively cooled and covered with aluminum. For my case it's in a very dry environment and I take it down and deep clean it each season.

>>alex_y+(OP)
A Fridge that was solar power aware could absolutely freeze a big chunk of water or another material that was more energy dense with diverted solar power and then use it as cooling through the night when solar wasn't available. The same is true of water heaters (for which we have diverters already available) for storing hot water and a bunch of other devices like ceramic heaters.

A lot of these appliances exist already for shifting power use to the sunny hours based on electricity, but right now all the various parts don't really work together as the home grid is just dumb AC and people orchestrate it all with Home assistant where possible.

>>zdragn+E
I'm curious if silica gel could work to remove the moisture?

>>zdragn+E
You probably just get frost at the bottom.