Article by Ross Geller
With new breakthroughs in technology it has in no way been simpler or more inexpensive to switch your golf cart to solar energy, and the advantages couldn’t be improved!
The increased gas prices go, the far more persons will search out an alternative usually means of transportation. Solar powered golf cart chargers are not only environmentally-friendly, but will extend your driving time as much as 12 miles every day! And golf carts aren’t just for the golf course anymore.
To make the best choice if solar power is ideal for you it’s finest to collect some facts on the many solutions obtainable currently, along with the pros and cons of every single. We all use our carts for distinctive factors so my demands in a technique may very well be far distinctive from yours, figuring out yourself and your cart it shouldn’t be difficult to choose which method is correct for you once you have a tiny background on solar power and how it translates to golf carts. Aside from all of the rewards you may gain, switching to solar energy is about taking a proactive step in preserving our environment plus the positive aspects to the earth need to far outweigh anything else.
The EPA states “For each and every 1.0 kilowatts of electricity generated by fossil fuel energy, virtually 2.five pounds of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. Utilizing solar energy instead of fossil fuel energy on the golf cart reduces the CO2 released into the air by 452 pounds per year.”
I’m not going to go into an extended drawn out write-up on the benefits of solar power in relation to the environment, most all of us already knows most of our energy sources usually are not only poor for the earth but are also depleting at an alarming rate. So, you should already have an concept that solar power is by far a single from the most effective forms of power as well as a single from the fastest progressing.
Now, how does solar energy apply to running a golf cart? Solar panels for golf carts have already been about for rather some time and had been originally made from glass. Seeing that they 1st came around have already been quite a few breakthroughs in each technologies as well as the use of diverse materials to not just a lot more solar absorption but to also make additional economical less complicated to use solutions.
The original glass panels are still broadly offered, even so they are high-priced, heavy, and in my encounter have a tendency to break readily. Created in a single solid piece they should also be shipped flat and consequently shipping on them is usually quite costly, as common ground services can’t ship them! Glass panels have to have direct “peak” sunlight to charge. So, following a specific point in the day or in cloudy climate they cease charging and also you simply run in your battery power. Glass panels also have be twice the watts to evaluate to some of the newer films!
One of the newest and greatest technologies out there at this time uses “Amorphous Silicon” to create a three layer cell. Exactly where each and every layer is tuned to a various frequency of sunlight, allowing the cell to convert extra from the solar spectrum into electricity. This “Triple-Junction” cell achieves a greater conversion efficiency and seems to deliver extraordinary quantities of power the additional your cart demands!! The initial or active best layer captures a portion from the solar spectrum, the remaining sunlight then penetrates towards the second layer which captures an additional aspect from the spectrum, after which the remaining light is then passed towards the third layer and final layer. This offers the cell the capacity to convert much more from the solar spectrum into electricity, achieving higher efficiency!!
Amorphous silicon cells are produced up of silicon atoms inside a thin homogenous layer rather than a crystal structure. Amorphous Silicon absorbs light extra efficiently than crystalline silicon, so the cells can be thinner. Also known as “thin film”, Amorphous Silicon is usually deposited on a wide range of supplies each rigid or versatile. Making it ideal for any curved surface or to enable folding. Amorphous cells are less efficient than their crystalline based counterparts, with a typical efficiency of about 6%, they may be considerably less complicated and less expensive to create!
From a golf cart standpoint I doubt any individual will ever see a mass created crystalline product, if there was a single made the cost would probably far exceed that of which a regular consumer could afford. Added to that, a golf cart does not call for as very much energy to run as say a house, so a thin film technological innovation produces extra than enough power for the carts demands!
Earth Care Goods Inc. makes an great thin film Amorphous Silicone solar golf cart top that installs in minutes straight in your current best. Voted a single from the “Best New Items From the Year” at the 2009 PGA Merchandise show in Orlando, now everyone can simply and economical convert their golf cart to solar energy!
The peel & stick design of Earth Care Merchandise solar golf cart tops makes it less complicated and more economical to go green. The unique silicon panels are flexible and lightweight, and almost unbreakable. Even a golf ball can not break them! This is the only solar golf cart process available that can make this guarantee. Switching to a solar energy system will improve your carts range between charges, extend battery life, and extra. All while doing something great for our atmosphere.
The secret of this process is in the patent pending 3 layer “Amorphous Silicon” solar panels that are every single tuned to a diverse frequency of sunlight, allowing the cell to convert additional of the solar spectrum into electrical energy. This “Triple-Junction” cell achieves an increased conversion efficiency and seems to give extraordinary amounts of power the more your cart demands!
The Thin Film Amorphous Silicon Solar Process was designed to charge a 12-24-36-48-72 or 96 Volt battery technique by supplying a minimum of 1.35 amps constantly to a 36 or 48 Volt battery bank (extended tops 2-3 amps minimum). This new technological innovation of two and three separate thin line panels has the potential to deliver up to 3-5 amps. In some studies people have went days, weeks, and even months without charging!
These revolutionary panels are able to develop watts constantly during direct sunlight, under artificial/fluorescent lighting, in cloudy or shady conditions, and even during rain or stormy weather! For just about every hour the leading is charging in peak sun, the original charge will maintain its distance, 1 additional mile will be added when driving on flat terrain.
The kit effortlessly installs in minutes straight in your current leading, increases the range of your vehicle, extends the life of your batteries, saves 452 lbs per year of CO2 emissions, and allows you to take advantage of great tax rebates for switching to solar.
Solar will also extend the life of your batteries by keeping them at a continuous charge! Active charging reduces sulfur content of the lead cells in batteries, sulfur buildup is the number one particular cause of battery failure. If a standard set of batteries lasts four years, the solar roof panel really should extend the cart’s battery life an additional two years or much more.
This method comes having a great warranty: 3 years on the panels and 5 years on the controller! The manufacturer even reports people employing their panels up to the 20 year mark with no problems or replacements. Compared to the older glass style that always seemed to break, that’s amazing.
Additionally, As of January 1, 2006 an investment tax credit of 30% went into effect for utilizing solar energy (IRS Form 3468 line 2b allows for a 30% tax credit for investing in solar). The solar panel and batteries are all considered part of a solar system on a vehicle. So, in addition to the solar credit you will be able to write off approximately 5 per year in your battery technique!
If you have got an EIN# and choose to write off your cart as a lease or purchase over a 5 year period, you might achieve up to 155% of your investment back! Or you can chose to basically take the deduction in the end of the 1st year, and receive the one time credit of 30%. In addition you can be able to write off approximately 5 per year on your battery technique. Individuals will receive the 30% 1st year credit and also the yearly battery advantages.
In addition, if you purchase a new set of batteries in the same time you purchase your solar process, it is our understanding that you get to deduct the full amount of those battery costs. Some states may permit additional tax credits and sales tax exceptions such as California, Arizona, and Florida!! Please check with your CPA and local state for extra information.
Switching to solar power is an excellent choice that allows you the freedom to get a lot more out of your golf cart, without sacrificing anything. You always have your batteries as backup when and if it’s best to need to use them. Knowledge is energy and solar might be confusing with all the possibilities offered, I hope this has helped give you a start in outlying some of those selections. Make the best selection for oneself and also the atmosphere and, “Go Green!”