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Unlike solar power kits that use heavy glass panels that can weigh up to 60 pounds or require cart owners to replace their roofs, Gulf City Solar uses a thinfilm panel, weighing about nine pounds. Extra performance is provided by the proprietary power-management system, developed by William Heckenstaller, a principal partner.

The solar systems result in substantial savings on electricity, reliability on the courses and longer battery life. Because the sun charges the batteries while the carts are on the course, stranded golf carts due to battery depletion are practically unheard of.GulfCitySolar’s product significantly slows battery aging, easily doubling battery life. As a result, Gulf City Solar warrants the batteries at Citrus Hills for four years.

Other clubs in Florida have tested the solar power kits on their golf carts and were very happy with the performance, especially when they found it necessary to charge the test carts only once a month.

“We have run the fully solarized golf cart daily for almost three months and have been very impressed with the performance,” said David Gillespie, general manager of Pelican Nest Golf Club inBonitaSprings. “We charged it only a few times during the whole period.”

Based on positive test results with Club Car golf carts, Gulf City Solar now offers four-year battery warranties to Club Car fleet owners, provided they have Gulf City Solar’s product installed and use the overnight charger no more than once a week under normal operating conditions.

“Ours is the most efficient solar power kit in the market,” said Heckenstaller, the brain behind the technology. “Solar is now a mature technology for golf carts and other slow-moving electrical vehicles. We are in the process of rolling out solar-powered electrical utility vehicles with extra solar panels that enable them to go much farther than 60 miles on a charge. They can be equipped with 12-volt chargers that can run power tools on the golf course.”

“These high-performance electric utility vehicles offer dual speeds, 15 mph and 25 mph, switchable on the fly”, said Hans Holzmann, executive vice president of Gulf City Solar. “Equipped with four-wheel independent suspension, this is the right vehicle for busy golf course superintendents who need to be constantly all over the course.”

GulfCitySolar will offer seasonal rental of solar-powered golf carts to selectSouthwest Floridagolf clubs, allowing these clubs to manage with smaller year-round fleets by supplementing with rental carts during the busy season. The carts come fully equipped and require charging only once a month under normal operating conditions, saving almost all the energy costs otherwise incurred.

“At the end of the season, clubs will have the opportunity to buy the solar-powered golf carts for their residual value, providing significant savings for the next season,” said Holzmann. “The carts will include a three-year warranty for the solar kits and batteries.”

GulfCitySolar develops and sells solar products that give people power where they need it. Designed for ease of use, its products use ultra-light and ultra-portable flexible, thinfilm panels to capture the sun’s energy, and the company’s proprietary technology enables its products to work much more efficiently than other products. To learn more, visit www.gulfcitysolar.com or call 239-947-1856.

Contact:

Laurel Smith, Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold Marketing and Public Relations, 239-275-5758

Read all about it here.

Gulf City Solar designs ultra-portable and light solar power products that enable people to get power where they need it. The company’s solar kit for golf carts is its first major product being sold widely to clubs and individuals. Unlike solar kits that use heavy glass panels or require cart owners to replace their roofs, Gulf City Solar’s kit uses a thin film-like panel weighing about nine pounds. Owners can simply peel off the double-sided tape and stick the panel onto their carts. The regulator that controls energy production and flow distributes energy up to 30 percent more efficiently than its competitors, and constantly recharges a cart’s battery, enabling more drive time and less reliance on electricity. This makes it perfect for a day on the green…or trolling the parking lot.

“Coconut Point and Simon Property Group are committed to environmental sustainability,” says mall manager Jamie Grofik. “We are actively exploring ways to be more energy efficient, as well as reduce energy costs. We are intrigued by the prospect of converting our present golf carts to solar power and we were please to learn how light, yet powerful, Gulf City Solar’s product is.”

The mall’s operations manager, John Kennedy, said the mall will initially install Gulf City Solar’s kit on one of its golf carts. Shoppers will be able to identify this “green machine” by its decorative decals, but that will be the only giveaway.

“Gulf City Solar’s panels are so thin and light, you wouldn’t even know which cart had the kit installed without looking directly down on its top,” Kennedy says. “I’m glad we could support a local business in this way, and I also look forward to having one less cart to plug in. When you think about the number of vehicles large operations like ours use, the savings could be huge if these solar kits are installed on entire fleets.”

Gulf City Solar’s executive vice president of sales and marketing, Hans Holzmann, confirms the potential for saving money while saving the environment. “Based on the average costs to charge carts with electricity, owners can easily recoup the cost of their investment in less than two years,” he says. “Then they can charge their carts for several more years for free. Our kit’s ability to constantly recharge batteries also extends the batteries’ lives, so that’s an even bigger savings.”

More information on Gulf City Solar’s products can be found online at www.gulfcitysolar.com.

About Gulf City Solar

Based in Bonita Springs, Fla., Gulf City Solar develops and sells solar products focused on giving people power where they need it. Designed with ease of use in mind, its products use ultra-light and ultra-portable flexible thin film panels to capture the sun’s energy, and the company’s proprietary technology enables its products to work much more efficiently than competitors. Gulf City Solar markets products for consumers and creates customized solar solutions for business and government organizations. More information about the company, its products and founders can be found online at www.gulfcitysolar.com.

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Golf Ventures supplies golf clubs and individuals with turf and cart-related equipment. Gulf City Solar’s kit expands the company’s environmentally-friendly offerings.

“We’re excited to lead the industry by offering our customers environmentally friendly options and savings with this new line of solar products,” said Golf Ventures executive vice president Walt McMahon. Gulf City Solar’s kit is also featured as the company’s product of the month for October.

Unlike other solar kits, Gulf City Solar’s kit uses an ultra-light solar panel made of a flexible, rollable thin film. It can be easily attached to the roof of a golf cart using the pre-attached heavy duty double-sided tape. It can also be easily removed without leaving a trace, if necessary. Most kits on the market use heavy glass panels to capture solar energy and may require a golf cart roof be replaced. Golf City Solar’s kit also operates up to 30 percent more efficiently than other kits.

“Gulf City Solar provides the most advanced solar technology for golf carts today,” says the company’s executive vice president Hans Holzmann. “Our kits are lightweight, sleek, and so powerful that they keep golf carts running even under cloud cover and rainy conditions.”

More information about Gulf City Solar’s kit and other products can be found online at www.gulfcitysolar.com.

About Gulf City Solar

Based in Bonita Springs, Fla., Gulf City Solar develops and sells solar products focused on giving people power where they need it. Designed with ease of use in mind, its products use ultra-light and ultra-portable flexible thin film panels to capture the sun’s energy, and the company’s proprietary technology enables its products to work much more efficiently than competitors. Gulf City Solar markets products for consumers and creates customized solar solutions for business and government organizations. More information about the company, its products and founders can be found online at www.gulfcitysolar.com.

About Golf Ventures

For the past 25 years, Golf Ventures has been a full-service distributor to the turf industry. Its leadership in the industry is a result of its strategic partnerships with vendors and customers, and its professional, highly-trained staff. Golf Ventures philosophy is to provide quality products and quality pricing, and above all, to partner with customers to develop long-term relationships and provide superior customer service. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.golfventuresonline.com.

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