Solar Pool Panels
Solar Panel is a devise which is use to convert energy contained within the sun rays into electricity. It is a great way to generate electricity on a small scale. Solar panels are commonly named solar cells or photovoltaic cells.
A photovoltaic module is an interconnected collection of cells combined into one item. Solar modules allow for a wide range of varying sizes of solar panel products to be manufactured. When a number of solar or photovoltaic modules are installed together, this is commonly referred to as a solar array, or photovoltaic array.
Arrays are a great way to increase the potential of a solar electricity system, to provide a greater output of electricity. The use of solar/photovoltaic panels allows us to generate electricity in remote corners of the earth, or outer-space. This can be extremely useful when there is no other source of electricity in the specific area.
There are two main forms of solar panels which are able to achieve different goals. The most common is the solar electricity cell. A different design of solar panels which are increasing in popularity all the time, are the solar water heating panels, which can be used to provide all or part of a homes hot water supply, heat swimming pools, or be used for other purposes.
When using solar electricity panels, there will most likely be some form of battery storage attached to the system. This allows for the storage of electricity produced through the day to be used at a later date such as at night. Solar cells can be a great way to provide a boost to your electricity supply in a range of different global locations, while also helping to lower your electricity bills, and helping the fight against climate change.
Solar pool panels are either flat-plate or evacuated tube solar water heating collectors. The versions for non-potable pool water use are often made of plastic. Pool water, mildly corrosive due to chlorine, is circulated through the panels using the existing pool filter or supplemental pump. Evacuated tubes do not have pool water pumped through them, instead clean water is used and then a heat exchanger transfers the heat. This causes less corrosion. A fairly simple differential temperature controller is used to direct the water to the panels or heat exchanger either by turning a valve or operating the pump.
The collector panels are usually mounted on a nearby roof, or they can be ground-mounted on a tilted rack. Due to the low temperature difference between the air and the water, the panels are often unglazed. The collectors should face South in the northern hemisphere, and North in the southern. If of fixed mounting angle, the collectors’ tilt should be optimized to warm the pool during the coolest months that the pool will be utilized; this optimal angle will vary with latitude. The collectors must drain down by gravity, or be drained, for freeze protection in anything but extremely mild climates. Almost all locations in the U.S. have the potential for freezing.
A simple rule-of-thumb for the required panel area needed is 50% of the pool’s surface area. This is for areas where pools are used in the summer season only, not year ’round. Adding solar collectors to a conventional outdoor pool, in a cold climate, can typically extend the pool’s comfortable usage by a couple of months or more if an insulating pool cover is also used. An active solar energy system analysis program may be used to optimize the solar pool heating system before it is built.
