Solar Panels

[rblammon]

Would like some info on solar panels for pool. We will need to install some after we close on our house in October. Who did you use to install yours? If yours face West, like ours would have to, does it do a good job. How durable is it, would it withstand a direct hit from a golf ball off the tee?

[rjm1cc]

I can not help with an answer but what do you intend to use the electricity for? Heat the pool in the winter, run the filter, etc. Will you need power when the sun is down or on overcast days? I think part of the question would be how much surge power do you need to start large pumps.

[Kelsie52]

Would like some info on solar panels for pool. We will need to install some after we close on our house in October. Who did you use to install yours? If yours face West, like ours would have to, does it do a good job. How durable is it, would it withstand a direct hit from a golf ball off the tee?

We had ours installed by Jacks Solar 267 4903 --They did a great job
Ideal spot is South facing ---We are on a golf couse and have been told a direct hit is not a problem --They are made of a High density plastic product


good luck

[getdul981]

I can not help with an answer but what do you intend to use the electricity for? Heat the pool in the winter, run the filter, etc. Will you need power when the sun is down or on overcast days? I think part of the question would be how much surge power do you need to start large pumps.

The panels that heat pools are not for electricity. A fluid circulates through them and heats the pool water. I haven't seen a house in TV that has room for all the batteries required for solar electric power, unless you utilize your garage solely for that purpose.

[hawk1021]

We had ours installed by Solar Lights very pleased. Clean, neat and curtious. Works great pools is up to 89. I paid 3600.00 for 8 panels. Have a pretty large pool. When I lived in Mount Dora I used Jacks Solar also nice guy but the reason I didn't go with him again is cause he is a one man band and if you have any warranty issues down the road if he's gone so is the company or same if he ges hurt etc. The other company has been around a lot of years and is a company so I felt better about the warranty issues if they wee to arise.

[Bob45]

I went with Jack's Solar. I had him install 2 extra panels. It does a good job in the cooler months. The grandkids were in the pool last Christmas. Too chilly for me though. Had a couple leaks but they were taken care of promptly. I am very happy with his installation.

Something to think about ....I'll try to explain...... Jacks solar panels have seperate tubes running from top to bottom. The other solar guys panel is the same tubes but are attached together. These panels will do a better job of heating. But my thoughts are ... The panels with the tubes hooked together is like a 4ft x 8ft solid piece of rubber laying on the roof. Moisture will collect under the panel and over time will damage the roof. Where the open tubes will let air circulate under the panel. That was the deciding factor for my choice.
Comments are welcome.

Bob

[spk7951]

Another vote for Jack's solar. Initially we had six panels installed and he quoted us a price for four smaller ones if we decided we wanted more flow. One year later we called to add the four and Jack stood by his old quote. Have had one leak which was fixed no charge and promptly. I believe he offers three size panels which can accommodate almost any roof. The larger open areas of our roof face the southeast and northwest, so our southeast facing roof is pretty well covered with solar panels. Our 14 x 32 pool is heated to 80 or higher from late March to early Dec and then I usually shut off the panels for the winter unless a freeze is predicted.

Talk to the different vendors out there but I suspect Jack's is probably the most used supplier in TV.

[rblammon]

Thanks for all the replies. Will contact Jacks when we are ready to install them.

[rjm1cc]

The panels that heat pools are not for electricity. A fluid circulates through them and heats the pool water. I haven't seen a house in TV that has room for all the batteries required for solar electric power, unless you utilize your garage solely for that purpose.
In NJ they work well on heating the pool so I would think they would be fine. Be sure you do not oversize the instillation so the pool goes not get too hot.

[ijusluvit]

In NJ they work well on heating the pool so I would think they would be fine. Be sure you do not oversize the instillation so the pool goes not get too hot.

Good solar panel installations, like Jack's), have thermostats, so you can control the circulating water from overheating. Therefore you will really profit if you have room for an oversized system (ours is almost double), The extra panels are very inexpensive if you install them with the original system. When our system is set on the highest temp in January-March we do not need the gas heat assist to keep the pool at 85 degrees. We do need gas to heat the connected spa to 100 degrees quickly in the winter months, but the solar system will almost do that without any gas assist in the Spring and Fall