Hong Kong golf course goes green with world's first solar-powered carts
|
Hong Kong's only public golf course prides itself on environmental awareness, and it is aiming to raise its green credentials another notch.
The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course now boasts the world's first fleet of solar-powered golf carts, which are expected to cut carbon emissions by about 30 tonnes per year.
The solar-cell roof panels, fitted to 205 carts, will capture and convert sunlight into energy.
They were designed and engineered by Denmark-based company SolarDrive, which collaborated with Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
The club estimates the solar-powered carts save between 50 to 70 per cent on electricity consumption and double battery life, compared to their regular counterparts.
Said Cameron Halliday, general manager of the golf course: "With the solar canopies, the difference is that as the golfer plays that 18-hole round, and it is variable, on a sunny day for example, the battery draw-down would be very negligible, if any. So when the vehicle is returned to us and its plugged back into the mains, it's just topping up."
The golf carts are a hit with golfers, as they are able to convert daylight into energy even during cloudy days. The carts also charge themselves on the go.
The solar-cell roof panels, fitted to 205 carts, will capture and convert sunlight into energy.
They were designed and engineered by Denmark-based company SolarDrive, which collaborated with Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
The club estimates the solar-powered carts save between 50 to 70 per cent on electricity consumption and double battery life, compared to their regular counterparts.
Said Cameron Halliday, general manager of the golf course: "With the solar canopies, the difference is that as the golfer plays that 18-hole round, and it is variable, on a sunny day for example, the battery draw-down would be very negligible, if any. So when the vehicle is returned to us and its plugged back into the mains, it's just topping up."
The golf carts are a hit with golfers, as they are able to convert daylight into energy even during cloudy days. The carts also charge themselves on the go.
Add your comment