Solar Panel Question

[waterbear]

You really need about the same surface area in panels as your pool has, if not more.

I've done some research into solar heating since I am considering adding it to my pool in the next year or to to suppliment my heat pump. The sq footage of solar panels needed is dependant on the direction of exposure with a southern exposure needing about 70% of the sq footage of the surface area of your pool, western needing about 80-85%, eastern needing 100% and northern exposure not being recommended. Of course these are just general guidelines and not gospel. One source I checked even said that a SSW orientation of the panels would be the most effecient needing only 65% of your pool's surface area.

[pedsrn]

We finally got our panels installed yesterday, hubby had a time getting the right size fittings because ours had to be placed about 50' from the pump.

A couple questions:

1. Do I just need to turn them on when the sun is directly on them or is any daylight okay?

2. My pump pressure raised about 4 psi when we connected them up, is this okay?

TIA!

p.s. I was amazed at the difference in the warmth of the water coming from the return.

[CarlD]

OK,
I have a very simple answer to whether you should run your panels or not:
If the water coming from the panels is warmer than the pool, by even the slightest amount, you should run them. BTUs are what you want, temp is less important. ANY warming of your pool is A Good Thing, and every BTU you can grab from the panels brings you closer to your target warmth.

A 4lb increase is not much at all--be happy!

[rmeden]

I just bought one of the 4x20 panels on Ebay... (what the heck).

My original plan was to make a frame using PVC, but I've seen posts about wood frames. Does the unit need a hard backing or can it hang from PVC? I was looking to keep it light so I can put it in the garage when not in use.

Robert

[rmeden]

got my panels from ebay! (4'x20' $127)

The panels are currently laying on the decking. I ran a hose from the fountain return in the spa. Not pretty, but I can easily control the flow and the supplied connector fit (with my vacuum hose).

I had an initial problem with the panels. (no heat) The water in each panel is supposed to flow in a "U" pattern. When I looked at the end of the panel, there was nothing stopping the water flowing right through the end bar avoiding the panels. I replumbed it so the return was on the opposite side of the panel (where they said put a cap), and got heat!

I called the ebay vendor (answered immediately) and they said there should be a disk prevented through-bar flow, but sometimes it falls out. Since I have two panels anyway, one flows left, the other right... no harm no foul!

Initial water temperature is 70 degrees. Output is 85-92! FREE HEAT! I'm thinking about increasing flow to avoid such a large delta-T, but *IT WORKS*.

Now I'm looking into building a rack to get the units off the ground (angled to increase heat!). Anyone have any plans or pictures? This is addicting! We may be swimming by the weekend! Temp is already 73!

Robert