Lewis University is first to test solar utility vehicle
(http://www.southtownstar.com/business/1099031,080908greenmachine.article)

August 9, 2008

SouthtownStar
Sun-Times News Group

The summer's sun is not going to waste at Lewis University in Romeoville.

The university is the first organization in the country to test a solar-assisted John Deere E-Gator utility vehicle - developed and produced by Solar Harvest Technologies in Long Beach, Calif. At Lewis, the pollution-free vehicle has been used during a normal eight-hour work day relying solely on the sun's power.

The vehicle was put to work on the 376-acre main campus during July and will be this month also.

Dwight DeVries, ground superintendent, said, "I never thought it would perform as it has. We are working the solar gator hard, putting it through a real-world test of every day grounds maintenance jobs. It has met the requirements of routine tasks and exceeds our expectations. We are saving money on fuel costs, getting our job done and doing it in an environmentally friendly way."

More than simply hauling people and equipment, the quiet vehicle also has powered tools needed at job sites that are normally without power. Two solar-powered 110 AC outlets enabled Lewis employees to plug in hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, air compressors and more.

"We're being good stewards," said DeVries.

Lewis' other turf management vehicles are powered by combustion engines that depend on burning fossil fuels, which release air pollutants. Significantly less air pollutants are released in this solar vehicle as it converts the sun's power through a panel on the top of the cart. The converted electricity charges batteries that provide on-demand service to the vehicle as it operates.

Phillip Quetschke, a partner in Solar Harvest Technologies, pointed out that several organizations are eagerly awaiting the vehicle's entry into the marketplace.

"In a working campus context, the solar gator's performance is providing a strong business case for renewable energy, nonpolluting machines. Using the sun as the primary power source has demonstrated a dramatic reduction in operational costs," he said.

"According to its usage at Lewis University, the offset of weekly fuel expenses represents about a 98 percent savings over an internal combustion powered conventional gator."

The vehicle requires only a supplemental charge from the utility power grid once per week to maintain full working capacity. Quetschke estimated the cost of the electricity for that charge is typically about 50 cents, while the same work load would consume about $25 in fuel for an internal combustion engine.