Golf carts are used for many purposes other than golf. For example, police agencies in Massachusetts and Ohio employ golf carts for patrol. Employees of recreational areas, individuals with impairments, and maintenance services are among the more prevalent applications. Our customer uses his golf cart, which runs on solar power, to get around his property and care for the animals.
Golf carts and solar electricity go together like clockwork. Powering these vehicles virtually out of thin air comes in handy when employed in remote areas of the nation far from electrical outlets. It simply takes one panel, which also functions as a roof. Additionally, the cars run on direct current, which your golf cart solar panel roof will generate automatically. This implies that the sole components of your golf cart solar kit may be a panel and a charge controller, which can be installed in less than two hours.
Golf practices, which have long been valued for their well-kept grounds and peaceful atmosphere, are now more than ever adopting sustainability. This perspective is naturally boosted by solar-powered golf carts, which fit in with the sector’s increasing focus on resource protection and environmental consideration. Golf courses may lower their carbon footprint, improve operational effectiveness, and set an example for sustainable practices by switching to solar energy.
Every solar-powered golf cart has an advanced system of electric motors, batteries, and photovoltaic panels at its core. Concurrently, these parts can collect solar energy, keep it for later use, and fuel the vehicle’s engine. Solar power is charged by solar panels, usually installed on the golf cart’s roof or canopy. The electricity created is then stored in onboard batteries for propulsion.
Once you get a solar panel that fits your golf cart, you must either put it on top of the cart using a mounting system or replace the roof of your cart with the solar panel. Usually secured with a few bolts, golf cart roofs are simple to remove. Z brackets and corner brackets can be used to secure the panels to the roof.
You’ll need a charge controller to protect your batteries from the excessive voltage of solar panels. Split the power output of your panels by the battery voltage of your solar golf cart to pick the proper size. For instance, a minimum 12.5 A charge controller would be needed if the solar panel and battery bank were 450 W and 36 V, respectively (450 W / 36 V = 12.5 A). Remember to verify the maximum voltage of the controller and contrast it with the panel’s output. The battery bank, panel, and charge controller only need to be connected to complete the wiring. A golf cart with a full battery may travel up to thirty kilometers.
When everything is connected, a solar panel continuously replenishes the batteries, extending the driving distance of your car. Each weighing around 1.5 kWh, six batteries make up an average golf cart’s 9 kWh total energy. Due to shadowing, uneven irradiance, and improper placement, the panel will likely operate at 70–80% of its maximum capacity. Still, a 450 W PV module can replenish 20–30% of your batteries during the six hours of maximum sunlight daily. That implies that the golf cart with solar panels on the roof on a sunny day will offer you an extra nine kilometers.
Golf cart solar panels should be the same size as the cart’s roof or more extensive. Large panels will be more challenging to install, add bulk to the cart, and may detract from its aesthetic. Going larger might not be necessary either because a 400 W panel should be plenty to charge a typical golf cart’s batteries.
However, installing a rigid panel over an uneven roof is challenging. You have two options: either remove the roof and install thin-film solar panels in its place or install a PV module. They are flexible, lightweight, and may take on the shape of the roof of your cart. Adhesives can be used to secure them, whereas drilling is necessary for stiff panels. Thin-film panels have a shorter lifespan and poorer efficiency; they often wear out in less than 20 years.
About specifications, energy-dense solar panels for golf carts should maximize the power yielded per square foot. Check the datasheet for the efficiency number. For a golf cart, you want stiff panels with an efficiency of at least 20%. Since the typical efficiency of thin-film solar panels is between 10% and 15%, you might be unable to need more electricity on your roof than you would want.
Just Doing Solar is devoted to designing eco-friendly solar options and renewable energy solutions. Our commitment to innovation and proficiency in solar technology allows us to provide innovative solutions that revolutionize how we think about mobility—both on and off the golf course.
To harness the sun’s power for a more sustainable and brighter future, Just Doing Solar is your go-to partner, whether you’re a business enterprise, residential neighborhood, or golf cart operator wanting to go green.
