Method for powering a golf cart with solar energy

A vehicle mounted solar power system comprising:

• a vehicle;
• at least one photovoltaic solar panel arranged on an exterior surface of the vehicle;
• at least one electrical load of the vehicle;
• at least one battery;
• at least one charge controller electrically connected between the at least one solar panel, the at least one electrical load and the at least one battery, the at least one charge controller being configured to automatically:
• detect solar panel power generation;
• detect electrical load power consumption;
• detect battery charge;
• and
• selectively route power between the at least one solar panel, the at least one electrical load, and the at least one battery dependent on the detected power generation, power consumption and battery charge.

A method of operating a golf cart-mounted solar power system, the method comprising:

• arranging a charge controller between at least one golf cart-mounted photovoltaic solar panel, at least one golf cart-mounted battery and at least one golf cart electrical motor;
• automatically detecting solar panel power generation, electrical load power consumption, and battery charge with the charge controller;
• and
• selectively routing power between the at least one solar panel, the golf car electrical motor, and the at least one battery using the charge controller, dependent on the detected power generation, power consumption and battery charge.