Unplugged Yet Connected: A Seven-Day Adventure in the Grand Tetons

Unplugged Yet Connected: A Seven-Day Adventure in the Grand Tetons

It was a sweltering week in August 2021, a time when the Grand Tetons echoed with the sound of rushing rivers and chirping cicadas, and the lofty peaks wore a crown of bright sunlight. I decided to spend seven incredible days in a 2015 rPOD, disconnected from the world yet tied to Mother Nature, harnessing her sunlight to power my little cocoon of comfort.

My rPOD wasn’t ordinary. I had outfitted it with a solar system comprising an 800 W monocrystalline solar array from Renogy, a 410 Ah battery, a 60A MPPT Renogy solar controller, and a 3000 W Renogy pure sine inverter. In simpler terms, I had a self-sustaining, clean energy ecosystem allowing me to indulge in a few modern comforts while nestling in the lap of the wilderness.

My solar setup was a testament to sustainable camping, with every device I carried thriving on the sun’s power. I had a Starlink Internet connection, a 27″ smart TV, two iPhones, an iPad, and a 750W air conditioner that I’d run for a couple of hours each day.

Now, let’s crunch some numbers. With an 800 W solar array and approximately 10 hours of sunlight daily, I produced around 8 kWh of electricity daily. My battery storage of 410 Ah at 12 volts, or roughly 4.92 kWh, meant I had plenty of capacity to store the solar energy I harnessed.

As for consumption, my energy usage varied. When used for about 2 hours daily, the air conditioner consumed roughly 1.5 kWh. The Starlink dish, with its constant power draw, consumed about 2.88 kWh per day. My 27″ smart TV, used for about 4 hours daily, consumed approximately 0.56 kWh. Lastly, charging two iPhones and an iPad took up about 0.05 kWh. So, my total daily consumption came around to approximately 5.01 kWh.

This is where the beauty of my setup shone. I was producing more energy than I consumed each day, allowing the battery to recharge fully, and sometimes even quicker, thanks to the ample sunlight in August. The 60A MPPT Renogy solar controller efficiently regulated this process, optimizing the power conversion and ensuring smooth and safe charging of the battery.

During those seven days, I witnessed the seamless harmony between technology and nature. I’d start my day with a hot cup of coffee, brewed using solar power. During the day, I’d indulge in some digital work, powered by Starlink, and in the evenings, I’d relax watching documentaries on my solar-powered smart TV.

One day, amidst a light rain, I saw a rainbow arching across the cloudy sky. I reached for my solar-powered iPhone, capturing this magical moment without worrying about the battery running out. Each night, the silent hum of the air conditioner lulled me to sleep, the comfort it provided was a gift from the sun, stored and supplied by my trusty Renogy setup.

The serenity of the Grand Tetons, the refreshing mountain air, and the rich wildlife were awe-inspiring. But so was my little solar experiment. It was enlightening to see how we could sustainably use technology, even in the midst of nature, without disturbing its delicate balance.

As I packed up on the seventh day, leaving the Grand Tetons behind, I felt a sense of accomplishment. Not only had I survived a week in the wilderness, but I had also done it while leaving minimal ecological footprints, thanks to my solar setup.

This trip was more than just a break. It was a realization of how we could co-exist with nature, harnessing its offerings for our needs without causing harm. As the sun dipped below the peaks on that final day, I knew this wouldn’t be my last solar-powered adventure.

Camping in the Grand Tetons with my solar-equipped rPOD taught me that nature could provide more than just a stunning backdrop; it could power our lives, literally. The future, I believe, lies in these sustainable practices, and it’s brighter than the sun that powered my unforgettable seven-day journey.

My solar journey continued long after the Tetons disappeared from my rear-view mirror, turning every trip into an exciting and sustainable adventure. So, here’s to more such trips, to the harmony of sun-powered comforts and pristine wilderness, to a future where every journey we undertake is powered by clean, renewable energy.