Brian Silvera (left), acting project supervisor for 'Solcar' at the University of Technology, discusses the operation of the solar-powered golf cart with Dr. Ruth Potopsingh, group managing director of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica, during its launch at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium at the institution's Hope Road, St. Andrew, campus yesterday. - Norman Grindley/ Deputy Chief Photographer
Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter
You can't drive it on public roads but, thanks to Jamaica's abundant sunlight, it is hoped that the new solar-powered golf cart, built by students at the University of Technology (UTech), will provide a beacon for renewable energy use in Jamaica.
'Solcar' is intended to persuade owners of the estimated 600 golf carts islandwide (gas or electric-powered) to have them similarly converted and save on the country's national oil import bill. Increasing by almost one-third to over US$1.7 billion (about J$116 billion) in 2006, the import bill is now projected to reach US$2 billion (about J$136 billion) this year.
The solar-powered cart is to be tested by golfers at the Constant Spring Golf Club, from where it was donated in non-working order, refurbished and equipped with solar panels also constructed by the six students handpicked by Dr. Noel Brown to carry out his vision.
Following earlier experience at the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Brown had earlier abandoned his original idea to build a car from scratch. He is now back at Oklahoma, building models to race against competing universities.
Solcar has a top speed of 22 kilometres (km) per hour, and a range of roughly 48 km (30 miles), when the batteries are fully charged by sunlight.
One of Dr. Brown's UTech students, Mark Dennis, is now employed by main sponsors Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ), advising on similar projects within the state-owned agency's Centre for Excellence in Renewable Energy.
"It's a cumulative effort where we start with one, make improvements, test it and hopefully persuade others to apply the technology," Dennis told The Gleaner. "Hopefully, we can also apply it to other small vehicles and we are also going to be looking at the bauxite industry with bobcats (utility vehicles)."
Green credentials
Ruth Potopsingh, PCJ Group managing director, recommended that the tourism industry adapt the vehicle and boost its 'green credentials', as tourists are starting to select destinations based on the environmental impact of their holidays.
"This is a significant opportunity, not just in tourism but in all sectors for the application of renewable energy," urged Dr. Potopsingh. "Not only can these be converted locally, but there is a variety of uses, both as golf carts, and resorts can also look at their uses in transporting people around their properties."
Similar vehicles are already being used abroad, for example, Bridgetown Tours uses them to transport tourists around the Bajan capital.
ross.sheil@gleanerjm.com
