solar golf cart

solar golf cart

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Renewable energy systems have 3 key components namely energy collection, energy storage, and energy dissemination to the load. A battery is one of the most expensive component on a renewable energy system. It usually lasts for 2 to 5 years but when if fails it is very expensive to replace. Car batteries have a 3-5 year lifetime; deep-cycle, both sealed and unsealed, can last 7-10 years.

The battery forms the weakest part of the renewable energy system. Solar panels have a life expectancy of 20 to 25yrs so during this lifetime a battery bank can be replaced 3 to 5 times. Batteries are heavy, full of lead and sulfuric acid, require regular maintenance (except for the maintenance free type), Most complaints on older systems are due to old batteries. A battery is the storage media for the collected energy in the form of DC electricity. They store electricity for night time in off grid solar systems.

It is like a water tank for rain water harvesting. When it is raining the water is stored in a water tank and when the rain stops the water can be used even after the rain has gone. This is an electrochemical process. The battery stores the electricity converted by the solar module. During the day, electricity from the module charges the storage battery. During the evening, the battery is discharged to power lights and other applications. Batteries are typically 12-volt lead-acid batteries, ranging in capacity from 20-200 Amp-Hours (Ah). Batteries, in a solar system, are typically sized to provide several days of electricity or "autonomy", in the event that overcast weather prevents recharging.

Deep-cycle batteries are best for a Solar home systems (SHS), as they are designed to operate over larger ranges of charge levels. Car batteries are only designed to be discharged 15% of their maximum charge while deep-cycle batteries can be discharged to 70-80% without incurring damage. It is not advisable to use Car batteries for renewable energy systems. Refurbished golf cart, forklift or railway engine batteries can work well for renewable energy applications.

A visit to Uganda electronics and computer industries in Kampala for more information about battery reconditioning methods and see them in action or visit their website http://www.greenenergy4africa.ws for more ebooks and information on the subject. you can also write to them using their email addresses info@greenenergy4africa.ws or tech@greenenergy4africa.ws for any technical queries.

Project Solar Golf Cart