Golf Cart Solar Panels & 48V Boost Controllers

Solar for 48V Golf Carts

A solar panel on the roof keeps a golf cart battery topped up between rounds and during storage. The panels here are lightweight Sunman eArc flexible panels, and the controllers are Genasun GVB-8-WP waterproof boost controllers.

Why a boost controller?

Most solar controllers need the panel voltage to be higher than the battery voltage. A single roof-sized panel runs well below 48V, so the Genasun GVB-8-WP steps the panel voltage up to charge the 48V battery. It is potted and rated IP68. Genasun's manual says to use the GVB-8-WP in golf carts rather than the standard GVB-8.

Pick the controller for your battery

• 48V LiFePO4 (16 cells): GVB-8-WP 56.8V lithium model.
• 48V lead-acid: GVB-8-WP lead-acid model, with temperature-compensated multi-stage charging.
• 48V lithium-ion (13 cells): GVB-8-WP 54.2V model.
• 52V lithium-ion (14 cells): GVB-8-WP 58.4V model.

Always check that the controller's charge voltage matches your battery manufacturer's recommendation.

Choosing a panel

For its 48V models Genasun lists up to 350W of panel, a panel Vmp up to 43V, a panel Voc up to 50V at STC, and panels with Imp up to 9A. Each panel here is within those limits:

• Sunman 200W Black Square (1159 × 1026 mm): a near-square shape for wider roofs.
• Sunman 175W (1504 × 673 mm): longer and narrower. Two in series (350W) also stay within the limits.
• Sunman 100W Narrow (1380 × 400 mm): for small roofs, on its own or two in series.

Measure your roof before you order. For other battery voltages, see all voltage boost MPPT controllers.