Sebonack Golf Club
Sebonack Golf Club becomes first U.S. course to power
golf car fleet with solar energy using SolarDrive
technology
NEW! Learn the results immidiately: New York
Times article after eleven months in service
Michael Pascucci, owner of the Sebonack Golf Club in Southhampton,
N.Y. didn't get to be one of America's most successfull businessman
by following the status quo. That's one way to explain Pascucci's
decision to make Sebonack the nation's first course to power its
entire golf car fleet with solar energy, using the new SolarDrive
system.
The solar-cell roof panels, which have been designed and
engineered by Danish firm, SolarDrive, significantly boost battery
life and make it possible for the electric vehicles to capture and
convert daylight into sufficient energy to power them all year
round, even on cloudy days. Furthermore, because the SolarDrive
equipped golf cars charge while they are being driven, they are
more efficient than regular electric golf cars.
By investing in SolarDrive's state-of-the-art technology, it is
estimated that the golf club will reduce carbon emissions by at
least 6.5 tonnes per year as a result of the fleet's reduced power
consumption from the grid.
The solar-paneled roofs, which have been fitted to the club's
existing Club Car fleet, will not only provide environmental
savings by facilitating carbon emission free charging and driving,
but will also lead to financial savings for the club. SolarDrive
estimate that the consumption of grid electricity by the fleet will
be reduced by between 50-75% and that the cars' battery life will
be virtually doubled.
"Power costs are very expensive here on Long Island and are
getting more expensive around the world," Pascucci says. "Why not
take advantage of the free solar power we have on earth?"
But reducing the charging requirements for the club's 40 golf
cars and lowering its electric bill, isn't the only reason Pascucci
invested in the solar canopies, which are sold as an option on Club
Car golf cars and can be retro-fitted to any make of golf car.
"One of our guys pencilled it out and said we were going to get
our money back pretty easily," says Pascucci, who sold a
car-leasing business for $700 million in 1997 and owns a television
station serving the tri-state area. "But even if the numbers
weren't as strong as they are, I still would have done it. The
bottom line is this. It was the right thing to do."
The owner of the Jack Nicklaus/Tom Doak-designed course (ranked
No. 7 in Golfweek's 100 "Best Modern Courses" and No. 39 in Golf
Digest's "America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses") calls the system "a
major industry innovation."
Pascucci thinks Sebonack members will be impressed that their
club is going green. "I think it's really a positive thing for our
members and their guests to see that they're riding around on the
sun's power and reducing their carbon footprint. It makes a
statement," says Pascucci.
Pascucci first experienced the SolarDrive system while playing
golf with Ernie Els at the Bear's Club in Jupiter, Fla., where
Pascucci is also a member. "I played quite a few times with Ernie
this winter, and he always had his solar car with him. It was
amazing to me that even on hazy days the car's (energy capacity)
stayed full" he says.
SolarDrive's Managing Partner, Peter Randow says: "We're
delighted that Sebonack is leading the way with their adoption of
solar technology for its golf car fleet and we're confident that
other clubs in the U.S. will be interested in following suit.
"With the Obama administration's call to action to tackle
climate change and use renewable energy, the impetus is certainly
there for the golf and leisure industry to review and further
develop their environmental policies," Randow added.
Randow believes that the financial support from federal and
state government is a key driver in allowing organizations and
individuals to answer this call to action.
"The significant federal and state tax incentives available in
the US for utilizing renewable energy technologies, give those
operating here a real head-start to making a difference. The basic
federal tax credit for the U.S. is 30% of the purchase price and
total savings can be higher depending on additional allowances
provided by each state," Randow said.
Sebonack, which utilizes other eco-friendly practices, including
an irrigation system that recirculates the water used on its
greens; is also considering solar panels for other buildings on the
300-acre property. "I think this is just the beginning," Pascucci
said.
