Office of Sustainability Unveils Solar Carts
Aug 11, 2011
posted in: Office
WFLA-NewsChannel 8 came out to the USF campus to cover the story on the new “solar golf carts”. The new solar carts are part of an initiative geared toward reducing carbon dioxide emissions on campus.
Storm Team 8 meteorologist Brooks Garner took a ride in the solar golf cart with Dr. Christian Wells, Director of the USF Office of Sustainability. He reported no differences in power or acceleration between the solar golf cart and one powered by gas or electricity. The carts generate no carbon emissions and their batteries are charged with solar power. Once the solar panel is installed, there is no need to plug it in again.
Dr. Wells says that each solar panel costs $750.00 and it pays for itself in about two years. Nearly 700 universities and colleges across the country have started similar initiatives on their campuses. According to Dr. Wells, “Sustainability is the new common sense!”
The Office of Sustainability plans to utilize revenue generated by the new Student Green Energy Fee to add approximately 100 additional solar carts to the USF Tampa campus.