Electric golf cart solar panel

[lake5798]

Has anyone installed a solar panel on top of electric golf cart?? Or have knowledge of how much it will or will not help with range or battery longevity?? Thanks

[jimbo2012]

Has anyone installed a solar panel on top of electric golf cart?? Or have knowledge of how much it will or will not help with range or battery longevity?? Thanks

There will be one there in Dec to see in action, it will go at least over 70 miles.

[renrod]

There will be one there in Dec to see in action, it will go at least over 70 miles.
Still not willing to disclose $$?

[jimbo2012]

The cost will be about $1250-$1500 installed.

However there are Federal tax credits of 30%, those tax incentives include batteries if purchased at the same time.

The expected life of those batteries due to solar charge will be upwards of 6 (six) years.

You shouldn't need your charger or a battery minder. :coolsmiley:

The full details soon...

[jimbo2012]

Solar products are exempt from FL sales tax

[aabuono]

Solar products are exempt from FL sales tax

Jimbo - Are you going to start a list of interested potential customers ? If so, put us on the list !!

Anne

[renrod]

The cost will be about $1250-$1500 installed.

However there are Federal tax credits of 30%, those tax incentives include batteries if purchased at the same time.

The expected life of those batteries due to solar charge will be upwards of 6 (six) years.

You shouldn't need your charger or a battery minder. :coolsmiley:

The full details soon...

I DO undersatand R&D costs and startup capital, but if you can get the consumer price below $999 you will be in business and this is the very best place to start.

[jimbo2012]

I DO undersatand R&D costs and startup capital, but if you can get the consumer price below $999 you will be in business and this is the very best place to start.

Rather then answer your question at this time the interest level in solar golf power both on the forum and in PM's has reached a point that we have decided to become sponsors in the Golf cart directory (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/golf-cart-directory-238/), starting tomorrow it should be up and running.

That way we can answer any questions, and we will start a start a list of interested potential customers.

tks

[simpilot]

I have no personal experience using them on a golf cart but let me give you some dirty engineering numbers that might help you decide. The typical electric golf cart has a 3hp motor which means it will need about 2,500 watts to provide full power. A solar cell produces a maximum of about 20 watts per square foot in full sunlight and the roof of a golf cart has an area of about 20 square feet. That means it will produce about 400 watts max.

The cart won't run on solar power alone but it might extend range about 10% taking into consideration practical considerations (shade, sun not directly overhead). That would be for steady running. When parked it would recharge the batteries but you would need to let it recharge 10 hours to recharge one hours running.

[LittleDog]

I have no personal experience using them on a golf cart but let me give you some dirty engineering numbers that might help you decide. The typical electric golf cart has a 3hp motor which means it will need about 2,500 watts to provide full power. A solar cell produces a maximum of about 20 watts per square foot in full sunlight and the roof of a golf cart has an area of about 20 square feet. That means it will produce about 400 watts max.

The cart won't run on solar power alone but it might extend range about 10% taking into consideration practical considerations (shade, sun not directly overhead). That would be for steady running. When parked it would recharge the batteries but you would need to let it recharge 10 hours to recharge one hours running.

I had a solar panel on my cart for over a year and I have to agree with you regarding how much you can get out of a solar panel. I could see some improvement but nothing major. Maybe they've improved them.

John

[LittleDog]

John can I ask what type and or size panel you had?

I had a flat type, not rigid but don't know what the size was. It covered the golf cart roof. Other than that I can't give you any more information.

John

[rhood]

How fast will this cart run with no battery pack hooked up? How many volts and watts does your panel produce? What are the dimensions of this panel?