PowerFilm Inc., the Ames manufacturer of flexible solar panels, is partnering with Textron Co. to make solar power an option for E-Z-GO golf cars and other electric vehicles.
The companies said in a product announcement that they had developed a snap-top installation system that allows PowerFilm’s solar cells to be easily attached to the roofs of E-Z-GO cars.
The rooftop solar system will be available in February. Pricing for the option has not yet been established, said PowerFilm’s Mike Coon.
The panels are expected to reduce energy costs for charging the batteries in golf cars by as much as 20 percent, the companies said.
PowerFilm has experimented with solar-powered golf cars for some time, and last year made 10 solar-powered cars available for use at the Principal Charity Classic golf tournament in West Des Moines.
The companies said the advantages of solar power include increased driving range, easy installation of the rooftop panels and reduced energy costs.
The panels are lightweight and durable, weighing less than 7 pounds. They are “designed and manufactured using military-grade specifications,” the announcement said.
“The solar panel creates, on average, enough electricity per year to offset nearly 175 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions,” it said.
“E-Z-GO’s partnership with PowerFilm aligns with our commitment to environmental excellence,” said E-Z-GO President Kevin Holleran in the announcement.
PowerFilm President Tim Neugent said the Ames company has been working with E-Z-GO for more than two years.
The product rollout is consistent with PowerFilm’s efforts in recent years to promote use of its flexible solar cells to the building industry for rooftop installations.
The company has also worked with the military to develop solar panels that can be used on tents and other installations to promote remote power for computers and other devices used in desert situations.
SOURCE: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120121/BUSINESS/301210044/-1/ENT05/Golf-car-maker-tops-vehicles-Ames-firm-s-solar-cells
 |
The PowerFilm panels weigh just 7 pounds and create enough juice to offset about 175 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. |
The companies said in a product announcement that they had developed a snap-top installation system that allows PowerFilm’s solar cells to be easily attached to the roofs of E-Z-GO cars.
The rooftop solar system will be available in February. Pricing for the option has not yet been established, said PowerFilm’s Mike Coon.
The panels are expected to reduce energy costs for charging the batteries in golf cars by as much as 20 percent, the companies said.
PowerFilm has experimented with solar-powered golf cars for some time, and last year made 10 solar-powered cars available for use at the Principal Charity Classic golf tournament in West Des Moines.
The companies said the advantages of solar power include increased driving range, easy installation of the rooftop panels and reduced energy costs.
The panels are lightweight and durable, weighing less than 7 pounds. They are “designed and manufactured using military-grade specifications,” the announcement said.
“The solar panel creates, on average, enough electricity per year to offset nearly 175 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions,” it said.
“E-Z-GO’s partnership with PowerFilm aligns with our commitment to environmental excellence,” said E-Z-GO President Kevin Holleran in the announcement.
PowerFilm President Tim Neugent said the Ames company has been working with E-Z-GO for more than two years.
The product rollout is consistent with PowerFilm’s efforts in recent years to promote use of its flexible solar cells to the building industry for rooftop installations.
The company has also worked with the military to develop solar panels that can be used on tents and other installations to promote remote power for computers and other devices used in desert situations.
SOURCE: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120121/BUSINESS/301210044/-1/ENT05/Golf-car-maker-tops-vehicles-Ames-firm-s-solar-cells
1 comment:
Well, I am glad to see that solar panels are used to run golf cars.
Post a Comment