The DIY option is simpler than that. Just hook some heavy draw appliances to the solar generator permanently and plug the generator into the grid to pass through electricity when the battery drains to a defined level. When solar charges it to a higher level (usually +10%) it triggers the direct use of solar again.

I had success using openVPN. I set it up, generated certificates, installed it on my phones, tablets, and laptops.

It won’t work when using an external vpn like Express or Mulvad, but while using it, you have secure connection to home. Once done with the home network, turn off the vpn, turn on your commercial vpn.

By “homelab”, do you mean your local network? I tend to use shared folders, kdeconnect, or WebDAV.

I like WebDAV, which i can activate on Android with DavX5 and Material Files, and i use it for Joplin.

Nice thing about this setup is that i also have a certificate secured OpenVPN, so in a pinch i can access it all remotely when necessary by activating that vpn, then disconnecting.