Golf club managers and owners are always looking for ways to generate revenue beyond memberships and green fees. With the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and the push for sustainable energy, two exciting opportunities have emerged for golf clubs: installing commercial EV charging stations and adding solar energy systems. Embracing these solutions can help your club bring in new income, reduce operating costs, and future-proof your facilities for the years ahead. In this blog post, weāll explore how EV chargers and solar panels can transform your golf course into a greener, more profitable destination.
Commercial Charging for Golf Clubs: A New Revenue Stream
Installing commercial EV chargers for golf clubs is more than a green gesture ā itās a smart business move. Golf courses are uniquely suited for EV charging because visitors typically spend several hours on-site. In fact, a full round of golf (around 4 hours) aligns perfectly with the time it takes to top up an EV on a fast charger. This creates a prime opportunity to monetise your car park and enhance your guest experience at the same time.
Generate Income from EV Drivers: By offering pay-to-use EV charging in your clubās car park, you can create a steady new income stream. Guests and even the general public can pay to charge their vehicles while they play a round or visit the clubhouse. You set the pricing ā whether itās a per-kWh fee or an hourly rate ā and those charging fees go straight to your club. Some clubs choose to offer free or discounted charging as a perk for members and charge non-members, striking a balance between member benefits and public revenue. Either way, every kilowatt delivered is extra income from a resource you already have: your parking spaces. Let your chargers work while your members play, and watch the revenue add up.
Boost Dwell Time and On-Site Spending: Providing EV charge points can also lead to longer visits and higher spending at your facility. When EV drivers know they can charge at your course, theyāre more likely to choose your club for a round (or an extra nine holes) instead of a competitorās. While their car charges, they may spend more time (and money) at the clubhouse ā enjoying the restaurant, pro shop, or other amenities. Offering EV chargers for golf courses encourages guests to relax and enjoy the venue without worrying about their carās battery, creating a win-win scenario: happier visitors and increased food and beverage sales.
Attract New Visitors and Members: An EV-friendly golf club can attract a growing market of eco-conscious golfers. With over one million EVs on UK roads as of early 2024, many drivers actively seek out destinations where they can charge up. Advertising that your club has EV charging (for example, on platforms like Zap-Map or club directories) can draw in new visitors who might not otherwise stop by. These could turn into repeat customers or even new members once they experience your course and hospitality. Plus, installing chargers now positions your club as forward-thinking and modern, which is appealing not only to individual golfers but also for hosting corporate tournaments and events that value sustainability.
Future-Proof Your Facilities: Investing in EV charging for golf clubs now helps prepare your club for the rapid growth of electric vehicles. The UKās ban on new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 means a large portion of your members and visitors will be driving electric in the near future. By getting infrastructure in place today, youāll stay ahead of this transition. You can start with a couple of 22āÆkW chargers (or even higher-powered rapid chargers) and easily scale up as demand grows. Early adoption avoids the scramble to retrofit later and signals that your club is keeping pace with technological trends. In short, EV charging is quickly becoming an expected amenity ā much like Wi-Fi ā and clubs that offer it will stand out as industry leaders.
EV Chargers Built for Golf Clubs (Convenient and Smart)
Not all charging stations are created equal. For a golf club environment, youāll want robust, user-friendly chargers that can handle frequent public use and offer convenient payment options. Evergy specialises in commercial-grade EV chargers ideal for golf courses and other hospitality venues. For example, we install the latest Sync Energy charger models that feature dual charging outlets (so two cars can charge at once) and built-in contactless payment terminals. With an integrated payment system, thereās no fuss with apps or membership cards ā any visitor can simply tap a credit/debit card and start charging. This makes it effortless to offer public charging and collect revenue without needing staff intervention.
These modern chargers are typically 22āÆkW or higher, meaning they can deliver a fast charge to compatible vehicles (significantly quicker than standard home chargers). They are also smart-networked, allowing you to monitor usage, set pricing, and even manage access (for instance, you might restrict free use to club members via RFID cards while requiring payment from visitors). Durable, weatherproof construction ensures theyāll withstand the outdoor elements and continuous operation that busy golf clubs demand. Evergyās range of commercial EV charging solutions includes options to suit different club needs ā from elegant pedestal chargers that blend into your parking area to higher-power rapid chargers for clubs that want to offer ultra-fast top-ups. And with our professional EV charger installation services, we ensure your charging points are installed safely, correctly, and in compliance with all regulations, so you can have peace of mind and focus on your members.
Pro tip: Donāt forget to publicise your new EV charging amenities. Promote them on your website, social media, and on EV charger locator apps. The more EV drivers know about your chargers, the more usage (and revenue) you can generate. Consider signage at the entrance and in the parking lot to direct visitors to the charging bays. Over time, your club can become a known ācharging hubā in the community ā bringing in visitors who may also enjoy a meal or practice session while their car charges.
Solar Solutions for Clubhouses: Slash Energy Bills & Go Green
Running a golf club isnāt cheap ā especially when it comes to energy costs. Clubhouses, restaurants, locker rooms, and maintenance facilities consume significant electricity throughout the day. Adding solar panels to your clubhouse roof or elsewhere on club grounds is a proven way to slash your electricity bills and take control of your energy usage. In recent years, UK energy prices have been highly volatile, with businesses seeing electricity costs jump over 60% in a single year (Energy prices and inflation ā businesses' perspective). Unlike households, businesses have no energy price cap, so your club remains exposed to rising rates. Solar energy solutions for clubhouses provide a long-term hedge against these costs by generating your own power on-site.
Cut Your Operating Costs: A well-sized solar photovoltaic (PV) system can significantly reduce the amount of grid electricity your club buys each month. During daylight hours, your solar panels will power clubhouse facilities ā from the lounge lighting and HVAC to kitchen appliances and even charging stations. This means lower bills from your utility provider. Over the 25+ year lifespan of a solar PV system, the savings can amount to tens of thousands of pounds, strengthening your clubās finances. Many clubs find that solar installations pay for themselves within 5ā7 years through energy savings alone, after which the electricity it produces is essentially free. With smart metering, you can also sell excess power back to the grid through programs like the Smart Export Guarantee, creating a small additional income stream during times when the clubās usage is low (for example, sunny days when facilities are closed or demand is minimal).
Reduce Reliance on Rising Energy Prices: By generating clean power on-site, your club becomes less dependent on the whims of the energy market. This resilience is especially valuable as analysts forecast business energy bills to remain ~70% higher than pre-crisis levels through 2025 (Business energy bills forecast to stay 70% above pre-crisis rates). Solar lets you lock in a portion of your energy supply at a stable cost (essentially zero fuel cost, since sunlight is free). In practical terms, every unit of electricity your solar panels produce is one less unit you have to purchase at the going rate. This buffer insulates your operations from future price hikes. Itās a bit like an insurance policy against rising overheads ā one that pays for itself over time. And if your club ever adds battery storage, you could even save solar power from the day to use in the evening, further maximising your self-reliance.
Power the Clubhouse and Beyond: Think of all the electrical needs across your golf facility that solar can help supply. Daytime air conditioning or heating in the clubhouse? Covered. Refrigerators and kitchens for the bar and restaurant? Powered by the sun. Office and pro-shop equipment, lobby lighting, even the pump for the irrigation system or the charging stations for electric golf carts ā all of these can run on solar energy during the day. By offsetting a large chunk of your grid usage, solar panels effectively free up budget that was once spent on utility bills. Those savings can be redirected into other areas like course improvements, new equipment, or member services. Moreover, modern solar panels are low-profile and can often be installed with minimal aesthetic impact on historic clubhouses or on cart-shed roofs and maintenance buildings if the clubhouse roof isnāt suitable. Evergy offers solar solutions for clubhouses and can advise on the optimal setup to maximize generation without disrupting the beauty of your grounds.
Enhance Your Clubās Green Credentials: Golf clubs are often stewards of large green spaces and natural habitats, so demonstrating environmental responsibility resonates strongly with members and the community. Solar panels visibly showcase your commitment to sustainability ā every kWh of solar power used is a kWh not generated by fossil fuels. This reduces your clubās carbon footprint and pollution. Many golf clubs already take pride in conservation (for example, maintaining wildlife on the course or reducing water usage); adding renewable energy is the next step in that journey. You can promote your switch to solar in newsletters and press releases to highlight that your clubhouse runs on clean energy. Environmentally conscious members will appreciate belonging to a club that shares their values, and it can be a positive PR story to attract eco-minded new members. Plus, pairing solar with EV charging truly closes the loop: youāll be enabling electric cars at your club to be powered by sunshine, a powerful statement about a sustainable future.
Evergy ā Your Partner in EV Charging and Solar Success
Adopting EV charging and solar might sound complex, but with the right partner itās a smooth process. Evergy is here to help golf clubs every step of the way, from planning to installation and beyond. As the renewable energy division of LAMPS, Evergy has the expertise and resources to deliver high-quality installations tailored for your clubās needs.
Expert Consultation and Design: We begin by understanding your clubās goals ā whether itās revenue generation, cost savings, sustainability, or all of the above. Our team will assess your site (parking layout, electrical capacity, clubhouse roof space, etc.) and recommend the best mix of solutions. This might include determining the optimal number and type of EV charge points (e.g. dual-socket 22āÆkW chargers in the main car park) and sizing a solar PV system that fits your roof and energy consumption. Evergy provides honest, data-driven advice, including estimated returns on investment for both charging and solar, so you can make an informed decision. Future-proofing is built into our designs ā weāll ensure your electrical infrastructure can support expansion (more chargers or panels later) as your needs grow.
Quality Equipment and Installation: Evergy supplies and can either install or recommend and installer of top-tier equipment from trusted manufacturers. Our commercial EV chargers (such as the Sync Energy Pro series) are durable, smart, and fully equipped for public use (with features like contactless payment and remote management). For solar, we stock high-efficiency panels, inverters, and all the components needed for a reliable system. We only work with vetted installers and renewable energy professionals, so if your solar project requires roof installers or electricians, weāll connect you with experienced partners you can trust.
Explore Evergyās range of commercial EV charging products perfect for golf clubs.
Discover Evergyās solar solutions for clubhouses and energy-saving equipment.
Ready to Transform Your Club?
Imagine your golf club in a yearās time: Visitors pull into your car park and plug in their electric vehicles at your charging stations before heading to the first tee. Your clubhouse gleams in the sun, not just because of its well-kept facade, but because solar panels are hard at work on the roof, quietly generating the power that lights the lounge and cools the drinks. Your monthly electricity bills have shrunk, new faces are coming to play (and charge), and your club is recognised in the community as a leader in sustainability and innovation. All of this is within reach today.
Ready to turn this vision into reality? Evergy is ready to help you get started, Contact us today. Weāll discuss your needs, answer any questions, and provide a clear plan to install EV chargers or solar (or both) at your facility. Thereās no obligation ā just an opportunity to see how your club can benefit. Donāt miss out on the commercial charging and solar revolution thatās underway. Early adopters are already reaping the rewards of new revenue and reduced costs. Itās time to join them and power your clubās future in a sustainable, profitable way.
Together with Evergy, letās unlock your golf clubās potential together. Your members ā and your balance sheet ā will thank you for it.
(Evergy is a provider of EV charging stations and solar energy systems in the UK. We specialise in helping businesses and clubs transition to clean energy infrastructure with ease. Get in touch with our team to learn more.)
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