Techno-economic analysis of PV-powered golf carts

• Danish scientists have revealed that adding 250 W photovoltaic panels to all of the buggies in a 50-cart fleet is a lucrative investment. With an upfront financial investment of around EUR75,000, yearly advantages of around EUR15,000 are feasible, they assert.

Researchers at Denmark's Aarhus University have ended that a 50-cart fleet of golf buggies could help to decrease power usage from the grid if each electrical automobile consists of a 250 W panel.

According to their techno-economic evaluation-- which thought about the release of solar powered buggies at the Los Naranjos Golf Club in Marbella, southerly Spain-- the roi could be attained within five years. Yearly financial savings of EUR15,607 would certainly be possible with an upfront financial investment of EUR75,000, the scientists included.

Regular electric golf carts have a freedom series of 27 holes after they are billed from the grid. "The main trouble is to match the billing time while the buggy is quit at the main house," the research group claimed.

Generally, it takes about four hrs before vehicles are reenergized. Commonly, they are not frequently offered for usage by the club's members.

The academics positioned a pyranometer in addition to the canopy of the golf club to measure its specific irradiance in various places. With a second pyranometer, they likewise acquired the irradiance in W/m2.

A pack of 4 batteries was situated under the cart seat. "The option for placing the batteries under the buggy seat was not only picked as a result of the limited size of the buggy yet also for safety factors," the scientists claimed, including that the voltage of the batteries was measured to check the state of fee and also review the advantages of adding a solar module on the lorry. "The batteries are 12 V each, totaling 48 the voltage of the buggy."

The research considered the release of 3 various kinds of photovoltaic panels: a standard crystalline silicon component, a thin-film panel, and a solar component designed solely for golf carts.

"To include a planetary system in addition to the buggy must be necessary for every golf club, even if the climate is not comparable to in Marbella," the scientists wrapped up. Also one of the most pricey of the three alternatives, the return on investment for personalized modules has actually been approximated at five years. "The next 11 years-- the duration in which the investment is anticipated to run-- will only build up cost savings for the capitalist," the scientists claimed.

Solar panels can prolong the complete variety of golf carts, while making even more buggies offered as a result of the reduction in charging times from the grid. The scientists have offered their findings in "Solar-powered golf buggies charging on the road", lately released in Energy Sources.