Pro Skier’s Van Enables
Solar-Powered Adventures
About Brody Leven
Brody lives on a small organic farm in Salt Lake City. The quaint and peaceful setting, however, starkly contrasts his passion—he’s a professional skier and adventurer. Often, he can be found on his skis in remote mountains. He’s not interested in resorts with convenient ski lifts; his excitement comes from finding unique, challenging terrain where rarely anybody has set foot. His adventures are not always free of danger.
In the off-season, he pursues what he calls “self-supported endurance outings” via running, climbing, bike packing, or even kayaking. New Zealand, Patagonia, and Tajikistan are only some of the outlandish destinations he has visited. His calendar almost entirely consists of trips and adventures of all shapes and sizes.
“I remain adventurous, even when skiing is not an option. I often go on van-centered trips, like bike packing, where I am out on the bike for days at a time and then return to the van, which functions as my home base.”
“Regardless of how far I have to drive or how deep into the desert my van takes me, I will always make time to step outside and do something hard to work up a sweat. That is the most predictable part of van life for me.”
No Shore Power Needed
Now on his third vehicle with a solar setup, Brody embodies a sense of freedom and self-sufficiency. Solar energy empowers him to set up at a camp spot, knowing he will have the electricity to cook, shower, and work on the computer after his day in the mountains. With an adequate power bank and sufficient solar, he has more than enough power to cover his daily needs, freeing him from the constraints of traditional power sources.
“I know I can make a big dinner and then leave all the lights on, stay up late, play music, do anything I want to, and still have enough power for breakfast. And if I don’t drive anywhere the next day with my alternator charging my batteries, that’s okay because the solar panels on the roof will top up the batteries. I even have an off-grid air conditioner, and in the two years I have had the van, I have not once plugged into shore power.”
“Normal” Doesn’t Exist
Brody has used his solar-powered van in a multitude of different situations. The first time he ran a 100-mile race, his wife was helping as his crew. She would drive to the various aid stations and meet him there with freshly prepared meals. Brody could also sleep right in the parking lot at the start of the race, which meant he didn’t have to wake up extra early to make the 4:00 AM start. More importantly, having been up for multiple days in a row, he could go to sleep immediately following the race without having to drive to a hotel.
“For me, “normal” doesn’t exist. I’m currently on a streak of over 3.5 years of daily outdoor exercise—running, biking, skiing, and climbing. Sometimes I’m alone, sometimes with Katie and Spaghetti, and sometimes I have a friendly ski partner sleeping on the guest bed – which, yes, I have in the van.”
The Go Power! Solar Setup
Brody drives a 2022 Ford Transit AWD. His electrical system features 750Ah of Go Power! Lithium batteries and a 600-watt Eclipse solar kit on the roof. He feels this setup is more than sufficient to power all of the van’s appliances without needing alternative fuel sources like propane. He enjoys the simplicity of having a single power source to run his mobile electrical system.
“At first, I was afraid a solar-powered electrical system would introduce unwanted technology and, thus, tech issues in my van. In reality, it’s been the exact opposite: I don’t fret over my electrical system; it simply works when needed. I can’t overstate how much I appreciate this, especially after spending so much time in RVs and campers with constant electrical issues, a stove running out of propane, or needing to monitor power levels due to underpowered systems.”
The Go Power! Solar Setup
Brody drives a 2022 Ford Transit AWD. His electrical system features 750Ah of Go Power! Lithium batteries and a 600-watt Eclipse solar kit on the roof. He feels this setup is more than sufficient to power all of the van’s appliances without needing alternative fuel sources like propane. He enjoys the simplicity of having a single power source to run his mobile electrical system.
“At first, I was afraid a solar-powered electrical system would introduce unwanted technology and, thus, tech issues in my van. In reality, it’s been the exact opposite: I don’t fret over my electrical system; it simply works when needed. I can’t overstate how much I appreciate this, especially after spending so much time in RVs and campers with constant electrical issues, a stove running out of propane, or needing to monitor power levels due to underpowered systems.”
The Go Power! Solar Setup
Brody drives a 2022 Ford Transit AWD. His electrical system features 750Ah of Go Power! Lithium batteries and a 600-watt Eclipse solar kit on the roof. He feels this setup is more than sufficient to power all of the van’s appliances without needing alternative fuel sources like propane. He enjoys the simplicity of having a single power source to run his mobile electrical system.
“At first, I was afraid a solar-powered electrical system would introduce unwanted technology and, thus, tech issues in my van. In reality, it’s been the exact opposite: I don’t fret over my electrical system; it simply works when needed. I can’t overstate how much I appreciate this, especially after spending so much time in RVs and campers with constant electrical issues, a stove running out of propane, or needing to monitor power levels due to underpowered systems.”
Climate Engagement as a Core Value
For the last twenty years, Brody has volunteered much of his time to protect the places, people, and outdoor lifestyles we love. Whether it’s preserving public lands or taking action on climate change, it’s important for him to use his voice and resources to protect our environment for future generations and all of us.
“Climate change isn’t a future thing; it’s a now thing. The faster we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels by using clean, renewable, and inexpensive technology like Go Power’s solar systems, the faster we’ll be on our way to a lower-carbon future. While our vehicles’ drivetrains may not be powered by renewable energy, that doesn’t mean we can’t do our best to use renewables wherever possible. Just because your entire life isn’t solar-powered doesn’t preclude you from integrating solar into your camping setup. It’s a great, affordable, low-barrier place to start using solar power. Soon, you’ll realize how great it is, and you may choose to implement electrical appliances and renewables elsewhere in your life.”