Daniel Island harnesses power of the sun

Solar panels added to golf cart barn

 The Daniel Island Club took a big step recently into the world of eco-friendly practices with the addition of an innovative, renewable energy solar panel system at the club’s golf cart barn. The 60 kilowatt system, which includes 220 panels, was installed on the barn’s front roof in June by Empower Solutions.

“The club has a pretty big footprint as far as energy consumption goes,” said Greg Keating, vice president of club operations. “It’s a substantial number. We wanted to dip our toe into renewable energy…The cart barn is just a great spot. It’s got a right-facing roof, nice pitch, and we could make it pretty much invisible.”

With the new system, which utilizes a bill credit agreement with SCE&G, the club will see significant savings in energy costs, said Bill Cannon, an Empower Solutions partner.

“It’s selling all power back to SCE&G,” noted Cannon.

The club is currently leasing the system, he added, but will have an opportunity to purchase it in the future.

“At that point, they have a significant asset that is producing income for them,” Cannon said. “It wipes out all the electricity needed for the cart barn, for the carts, and more.”

According to Cannon, the panels are guaranteed to output energy for more than two decades, but could last even longer than that.

“Every hour that the sun is up, it’s generating 60 kilowatts of power! It’s taking the sun’s energy and turning it into usable electrons…It’s just a good idea. It looks good and I think the club sees it that way, too.”

“We hope that the return on investment will be good,” added Keating. “And it’s an asset that should last 25 years before it needs to be replaced. We’re optimistic to see what type of energy it develops and hopefully it will eliminate our future electric bills for that part of the club.”

For additional information on Empower Solutions, visit www.empsolutionsgroup.net.

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

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