Imagine hitting the road and fueling your journey not with gas, but with the sun’s power. This isn’t some futuristic dream—it’s happening now, thanks to innovators like AY Young, founder of the Battery Tour. AY isn’t just using solar energy to power his concerts; he’s advocating for it to power everyday life, including your next epic road trip. So, how does solar energy work, and how can you use it to fuel your adventures? Let’s break it down.

The Power of Solar Energy

At its core, AY’s system collects energy from the sun using solar panels, stores it in batteries, and converts it to alternating current (AC) using an inverter. This simple process powers his concerts, recording studio, and, yes, even a road trip. “My solar panels are on the top of my trailer, so they’re constantly storing energy into the batteries,” AY explains. The solar energy stored in these batteries is converted from direct current (DC) to AC, making it usable for everyday needs—charging electronics, running appliances, and even fueling an electric vehicle.

So, how does this apply to your road trip? It’s all about storing enough energy. “If you store enough energy, you can power your car, your home, and so much more,” says AY. This means that your solar panels can charge as you’re cruising down the highway, giving you clean, renewable energy to keep you going.

Setting Up Solar Power for Your Trip

You don’t need a custom trailer like AY’s to use solar power on your road trip. You can start small and still make a big impact. A basic setup would include portable solar panels and a battery system that stores the energy you collect. The panels can be mounted on the roof of your car or set up at campsites during breaks. At the same time, the batteries store enough energy to charge your electronics, power a vehicle, or even top off your electric vehicle’s battery.

“The secret is storing energy,” AY emphasizes. By charging your solar batteries during the day, you’ll have enough power stored at night or not in direct sunlight. And with many highways offering clear paths to the sun—free of trees and other obstructions—road trips become the perfect time to harness solar energy.

Making Clean Energy Mainstream

AY’s passion for clean energy goes beyond just powering his music and road trips. He believes it’s a solution that can—and should—be used in all areas of life. “Batteries are everywhere,” he says, pointing out that they power everything from our phones to electric cars. His vision is for people to use this technology on a larger scale. “We need to store more energy and distribute it to people who need it, whether through microgrids or clean energy solutions.”

With the rise of electric vehicles and portable solar tech, powering road trips with clean energy is no longer a niche idea. “I’ve powered over 950 concerts with 100% clean energy,” AY shares, proving that solar power can more than meet energy needs.

Road Trips, Music, and Sustainability

AY’s journey to merge music with sustainability started with the idea that if he could store enough energy, he could perform anywhere. “I realized that if I stored enough energy, I could power a concert anywhere,” he explains. This realization led to the Battery Tour, where he performs concerts powered entirely by solar energy.

Through his project, he’s spreading the message of sustainability and providing real-world solutions to people who need them. The proceeds from his music fund clean energy projects around the globe, bringing power to communities that don’t have reliable access.

His message is simple: clean energy is here and ready to power your adventures. “I believe in regeneration,” AY says, and his work proves that solar energy isn’t just a concept for the future—it’s something we can use today to make a positive impact.