Off-Grid Comfort: How We’re Piloting Solar-Powered Mini-Splits in California
San Luis Obispo hit 86°F in November 2025, prompting Viva Energy to test solar-powered cooling as part of a new pilot program.
San Luis Obispo hit 86° last weekend. In November.
That’s not unusual anymore — random fall and winter heatwaves have become part of life on the Central Coast. The problem? Most homes here were built without air conditioning. On those 85° days, your house turns into an oven by 2 p.m. and doesn’t cool off until the middle of the night.
At Viva Energy, we’re always looking for ways to make homes more comfortable and more independent from the grid. This season, we’re launching a pilot program to test solar-powered cooling using the EG4 Hybrid Solar Mini-Split.
What it is
The EG4 mini-split is a high-efficiency, ductless heating and cooling system designed to run directly on solar power — or through a standard inverter connection. In simple terms: it delivers comfort powered by your own panels, not the utility.
We’ve already used EG4 components in solar + battery installations for years. Now, we’re evaluating how their hybrid mini-split performs under real Central Coast and Central Valley conditions.
How we’re testing it
We’re starting small — one unit at our Sanger, CA shop and a few select homes in SLO and the Central Valley. Each system will be monitored for power draw, temperature stability, and integration with our solar + battery setups.
The goal isn’t to become an HVAC company. It’s to explore off-grid comfort — making it possible to cool a detached garage, ADU, or workshop sustainably, using only solar power.
Why it matters
Air conditioning has always been one of the toughest things to run efficiently on solar. Traditional systems spike power use exactly when the grid is most stressed. A solar-powered mini-split flips that equation — turning the sun’s energy directly into comfort when you need it most.
And let’s be honest: with global climate change, it’s not getting any cooler. But it can get smarter.
By testing systems like the EG4 mini-split, we’re building real-world data for the next generation of energy-independent homes — homes that stay comfortable year-round without relying on the grid.
Want updates on solar-powered cooling?
We’re evaluating the EG4 solar-powered mini-split internally this season. If you want to know when it becomes available as an add-on or standalone option through Viva Energy, join the interest list below.
We’ll send updates as we collect data and confirm availability.
References
EG4 Hybrid Solar Mini-Split Product Overview
https://eg4electronics.com/eg4-mini-splits-product-spotlight/NOAA San Luis Obispo Climate Records
https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climateCalifornia Fall Heatwave Trend Reporting
https://www.latimes.com/climate