Solar-Powered Golf Car Fleet
Deployed at Mauna Lani Resort
TravelGolf.com Staff Report
PowerLight Installs 60 SunCaddy® Units at Mauna Lani Resort
KOHALA COAST, HAWAII (Jan. 29, 2002) - The internationally-acclaimed Francis H. I’i Brown golf course at the Mauna Lani Resort (winner of seven consecutive Gold Medals from Golf), is introducing its second complement of 60 solar-powered golf cars, installed with SunCaddy® solar electric systems.
SunCaddy, designed and manufactured by PowerLight Corporation (www.powerlight.com) of Berkeley, CA, replaces existing golf car roof tops with an innovative canopy that powers the car with clean, reliable solar photovoltaic (PV) technology.
PowerLight’s solar electric system charges electric golf and utility vehicles using sunlight, substantially reducing recharging costs as well as doubling the battery life of the electric cars. This system can be installed on new cars, or retrofitted on existing electric golf and utility vehicles.
“PowerLight’s SunCaddy is a phenomenal product. It makes sense economically and operationally,” said Neil Bustamante, Vice President, Mauna Lani Resort (Operations), Inc. (www.maunalani.com). “We save thousands of dollars during the life of each golf cart, without compromising on performance.”
|
The golf car fleet is one of four successful solar projects PowerLight has furnished for Mauna Lani Resort. In 1998, the resort installed an 80 kW solar electric roof system for Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, as well as a 110 kW system to power the resort’s golf facility. Over the last two years, both systems have performed with an availability of over 98%, and continue to generate energy above specification. Not only are these solar systems sparing the environment from thousands of tons of harmful emissions (NOx, SOx and CO2), they are generating internal rates of return above 20%.
Mauna Lani is also currently deploying its largest solar photovoltaic installation, a 250 kW PowerLight solar tracking system, which will provide energy to irrigate the resort’s two 18-hole golf courses. The Mauna Lani photovoltaic projects are expected to provide the resort with a net savings of more than $5,000,000 over the next 25 years.
“These installations exemplify Mauna Lani’s leadership in technological innovation, renewable energy, and environmental protection,” said Daniel Shugar, Executive Vice President of PowerLight Corporation. “Mauna Lani is showcasing that solar power is a viable part of Hawaii’s energy solution.”
About Mauna Lani Resort
Mauna Lani Resort (www.maunalani.com) and its affiliated companies are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Tokyu Corporation of Japan. The Resort is ideally located on the Big Island's Kohala Coast, 25 minutes north of the Kona International Airport. It features the award-winning Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, nestled oceanfront and surrounded by acres of preserved, ancient Hawaiian fishponds. Amenities include two 18-hole championship golf courses (home of the Senior Skins Game for 11 consecutive years), tennis courts, and a new Mauna Lani Spa. Widely recognized as a pacesetter in historic preservation and stewardship of the land, Mauna Lani beckons visitors with its unparalleled spirit of place.
Mauna Lani is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide a global brand of 110 of the world’s finest and most distinctive independently owned luxury hotels and resorts. Live images of Mauna Lani can be seen at www.maunalani.com.
About PowerLight
PowerLight (www.powerlight.com) is the leading manufacturer of commercial-scale solar electric products and services. Founded in 1991, PowerLight's systems solutions deliver reliable, affordable clean power for commercial and government customers worldwide. Inc Magazine has ranked the PowerLight Corporation among the top 500 fastest growing privately held companies in 2000 and 2001. Today, PowerLight has worldwide offices and a full line of commercial solar electric products.
