[photo1902]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

Solar panels need 2 gpm for each panel, so 5 panels only needs 10 gpm,

that pump at 100% maybe pumping too much too fast not allowing the proper dwell time, therefore wasting elec.

easy to check

Thanks, but it also depends on the location of the pump relative to the panels. In our case were talking 60', at least. I'll check with the pool company though, thank you!

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by BK001

Our house is a 2100 sq ft Lantana in the Village of Lynnhaven. The pump on the pool goes on at 8 am and goes off at 6 pm daily. There is a small pump in a little water pond on our Lanai that has been running 24-hrs per day. The first month from 5/13 - 6/1 was $170.13. The second full month 6/2-7/5 was $267.30.

Average daily usage 69 KWH. Does this seem high relative to others?

I'm no pool expert, but I think running your pump for 10 hours a day is not necessary. I run ours for 8 hours a day and have no issues with water cleanliness/chemical levels etc.

[jimbo2012]

It's not the horizontal run so much, that like 5%, it's the head or height that really matters.

we all have about the head height here.

Just take a 5 gallon bucket time how many gallons are returned off the panels.

99% of pool or solar companies just take a guess,


if you saw my small pump you would be surprised it draws only 375 watts and pump 5 panels.

Originally Posted by photo1902

I'm no pool expert, but I think running your pump for 10 hours a day is not necessary. I run ours for 8 hours a day and have no issues with water cleanliness/chemical levels etc.

Agree 6-8 hours works well, you want to turn you water 3 times a day.


.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

It's not the horizontal run so much, that like 5%, it's the head or height that really matters.

we all have about the head height here.

Just take a 5 gallon bucket time how many gallons are returned off the panels.

99% of pool or solar companies just take a guess,


if you saw my small pump you would be surprised it draws only 375 watts and pump 5 panels.


Agree 6-8 hours works well, you want to turn you water 3 times a day.


.

We had the same issue with our three waterfalls. Given the length of our run, the pump running at 55% did not have enough power to run all three falls, even reducing/limiting the return. It had to be bumped up to 100%. i suppose we could find a happy medium, between 55 and 100, same as for the solar, but for the infrequent amount that we use either feature, its not worth it.

[Semper FI]

Check our Green Key Village on lake Ella Rd..complete Solar Community, and get the real scoop.....Worth it

[NavyNJ]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

Thank you for all of your replies. We have GoSolarTrek of Ocala coming to quote so will keep you posted.

In addition to anyone else you talk with, I would recommend you get a proposal/quote from Jack of Jack's Solar out of Ocala. His info & web page are at the link below:

Jack's Solar

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by NavyNJ

In addition to anyone else you talk with, I would recommend you get a proposal/quote from Jack of Jack's Solar out of Ocala. His info & web page are at the link below:

Jack's Solar

Thank you, NavyNJ

The figures from SolarTrek indicate a payback period for me of around 16 years, but this would be less if I were here year-round and under ten years if I could get the tax credit.

I shall wait until the house needs a new roof (a few years yet, hopefully) by which time the cost of PV should be lower (currently falling at 10% per annum) then look into it again.