I live in Ohio, have a 15,000 gallon in-ground pool and have a great
Southern exposure for 2 or 3 solar panels. Can anyone tell me how
well they work; say the ones from Leisure Living or one of the popular
pool catalogs? Thanks. Dale
Solar panel heating
March 22nd, 2003 · 1 Comment
Tags: pumps
1 response so far ↓
1 Neva Marjory // Mar 29, 2003 at 3:25 pm
Hello!
I have a bank of through flow solar panels which work very well. See
the photos in the Photos section. These panels were made by Robinsons
in the UK.
At this location - Central England - about 200 square feet of panels
are recommended for a 12000 gallon pool, but I have 320 which is more
realistic given our weather.
This does require quite a large chunk of space in the garden!
During June, July and August I can keep the pool temperature in the
high 70’s on the solar heating only, with a floating bubble cover on
the pool. In a hot sunny period I even have to leave the panels in
circuit overnight to COOL the water to keep it under 84 degrees, the
max recommended for the cover and liner.
Normally, a “Differential Controller” and a three way motorised valve
are used to bypass the panels when there is no solar gain. This is
essential as solar collectors make equally good solar radiators when
the air temperature falls below the pool water temperature!
Remember that the panels do not last for ever so the heating is not
free! If the panels last 10 years (10 to 15 is typical) the heat has
cost you 10% of their cost each year, which is significant.
Also, your pump will need to be run during the daytime, if you run it
only at night normally (some people get cheaper electricity then)
that will not be an option with solar heating.
Having said all that, my system has been working for 12 years now and
I am very happy with it.
Steve.
You must log in to post a comment.