Greener golf with a solar golf cart
FYI: We'd have used "going green on the green" if Uncrate hadn't already beaten us to it. Clever tagline aside, what we have here is a solar-powered golf cart which uses 48 volts worth of batteries to power its 5.5 horsepower electric motor. According to the specifications, the roof-mounted solar panels increase its range by about sixty percent over regular electric golf carts. That solar installation offers three amps per hour and can completely charge the batteries in fifteen hours. Otherwise, a regular outlet can charge the vehicle overnight. Top speed is said to be twenty-four miles per hour. That seems plenty fast enough for the golf course, if you ask us. We also think that its 755 pound capacity should be more than enough for a couple of golfers and their assorted gear. Two cup holders are available for when the ever-important beer cart makes it over to your area, so all the bases appear to be covered.
[Source: Hammacher Schlemmer via Uncrate]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Peter F 7:20PM (6/15/2008)
I don't think it is correct to say "amps per hour." Amperes are a measure of the rate of flow of electricity, so it is sufficient (and correct) to just say amps. Saying "amps per hour" would be like saying "miles per hour per hour."
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Eric 7:30PM (6/15/2008)
This is pretty smart, there are alot of battery only golf carts out there, so it shouldn't be too challenging to roll-out solar fleets. And everyone loves playing golf on a nice sunny day!
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Eric 11:33PM (6/15/2008)
@Peter E,
Battery capacities are measured in Amp-Hours, just like your electric bill is measured in KW Hours. (@115V, KW hours are really measuring your houses draw in amps). Current is instantaneous coulombs per second so Amps are not a good measure for long running loads.
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James 7:59PM (6/15/2008)
I would love to convert my golf cart, I wonder if there is a kit?
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Linda Crismond 1:44PM (7/29/2008)
Hi James,
I was just referred to this posting. In answer to your question, we offer a solar roof panel kit for the Club Car DS and the E-Z-GO Med/TXT. You may find all the details on our web site at www.frugaldougalsgolf.com/solarroofpanel
The kit is a fraction of the cost for the full solar golf cart.
Joe 9:13PM (4/14/2009)
there is a kit. check out www.longdrivesolar.com
Niralisherni 10:45PM (6/15/2008)
I think golf carts are a contradiction of terms: golf is supposed to be about getting out there and WALKING, not about being driven around in a cart, surely that defeats the very purpose of the exercise (pun intended)?
But still a solar golf cart is a great idea.
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Dave 3:05AM (6/16/2008)
I have a feeling that putting the money spent on getting solar panels on the roof of a golf cart would be better spent by putting the panels on the roof of your house or business where you can be sure to angle the panels for maximum exposure to the sun.
The only advantage I see is that the solar panels can significantly extend the range of a cart, but since existing low-tech lead-acid battery technology already provides plenty of power for more than 36 holes of golf, I don't really see the point.
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GoodCheer 9:43AM (6/16/2008)
Peter F is absolutely correct: Amps (at a certain voltage) are a measure of POWER. If you want to describe how much ENERGY is delivered in a certain amount of time you need a unit of ENERGY. I would suggest that a better analogy to Jeremy's statement would be to say that my car can put out 115 hp per hour... that does not mean anything.
I assume Jeremy meant that the solar panel can put out 3 Ah/hour (at 48 volts), or 148 Wh/hour. A Watt-hour is a unit of ENERGY.
I would guess (as an aside) that a light and low speed vehicle like this can go about a mile on 148 Wh.
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GenWaylaid 10:32PM (6/16/2008)
These carts could prove most useful as NEVs. The extra range may not make much difference on the golf course but it could on a trip to the local store.
I think solar panels on the vehicle do make some sense for golf carts and NEVs, but EVs with a higher battery capacity / surface area ratio wouldn't benefit much. Then again, both Aptera and Fisker are using small solar panels to cleverly offset the impact of hotel loads like air conditioning.
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solarfinanceinc 7:51PM (10/26/2009)
Solar on Golf Carts has come along way since this article was written. This past May, Sebonack Golf Club in Southhampton, NY converted 39 of their 40 Golf carts into Solar. Earlier this year, the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course in Hong Kong became the first club in the world to outfit its entire fleet of golf carts with Solar tops. Both claim an annual savings of over $50,000.00 US by going Solar. Hawaii Prince Golf course is on the band wagon as well. They just purchased 10 solar golf cart systems for their fleet. This is definitely a trend that should be watched. I am a dealer for a unique Peel and Stick Solar Golf Cart System that works on ANY golf cart. Custom Cart, Specialized Cart, EZ-GO, Club Car, Yamaha, etc. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact me. www.solarforgolfcarts.com
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