Solar Panel?

[csevel]

I have a friend who wants to give me a solar panel approximately 4' X 8' and I was wondering if this panel alone would be worth putting on an 18' above ground pool?? (7600gal)...would I need more than one?

[NWMNMom]

We had a 2x20 solar panel on our 18' round 48" high pool the last 4 years. It kept the pool at a comfy 82 degrees most of the time (Mid July it got TOO hot, so we used a diverter to bypass the panel) We live in the far North so take that for what its worth in the calculations. I wouldn't go with less than 2x20 amount for that size pool, it may not keep up. A solar blanket on top is MUST to keep the heat IN, especially at night. Its way harder to heat back up from a cooled off pool than to just maintain the temp.

[csevel]

I mistyped...It is 4' X 10'. Wouldn't that be exactly the same square footage? I do have a solar cover for nightime.

[Watermom]

Yes - same area.

Watermom