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BaseballMom88 · May 31, 2009, 06:32 AM

Has anyone had any experience with these 20 ft. solar panels (not solar covers) for heating above ground swimming pools? I have a 21ft round pool that gets full unfiltered sun from morning to night without any trees in the area. I am looking into a heater but a gas or electric seems a little overkill and expensive since my pool gets full sun all day and I just want to kick up the temp to get a little more life out of the pool since I live in the suburbs of Chicago where the season for swimming isn't as long.
Was wondering if these solar panels really do raise the temp the 10deg as they claim. I have space where a panel would receive direct sunlight all day and have a 2 speed pump which I believe they need. How far can these panels be placed away from the pump as they show roof installation etc... Guess pvc plumbing would ne required then for longer distances..
Any info on these would be great before I buy and waste my money..
Thanks Karen...

hvacgal · May 31, 2009, 06:49 AM

Solar panels do work I went to a seminar run by a guy who installs them.

He showed us work he had done on solar panel snow melts where he used solar panels here in Canada to melt snow in the winter off driveways using only solar panels.

I have a friend who installed them for her pool and loves them.

They are also better for your pocket in the long run.

Good luck

ballengerb1 · May 31, 2009, 07:30 PM

I installed a set of panels about 10x20 and they did work well. Howvere, if you plan to install on a roof your existing pump may not be big enough to lift the water and still maintain the flow rate.

BaseballMom88 · Jun 1, 2009, 11:15 AM

I just want to make sure that everyone knows this is the type of solar heater I am referring to... they are specifically for pools.
No I wouldn't put it on a roof, but next to my pool facing south with full sun exposure all day...
http://www.waterwarehouse.com/itm_img/6860.jpg
If my water is typically 80 deg is it reasonable to expect it to reach 90 with these panels or is that a stretch...

I appreciate both above responses...
Thanks Karen...

ballengerb1 · Jun 1, 2009, 03:02 PM

That is the type I pictured and I did mount it on the roof. Will it reach 90 degrees, maybe for a month or two. Your water temp is not going to be 80 for quite some time, when it reaches 80 the heater can add 10 degrees. However. Its likely you will hit 80 around the middle of July, by September the temp is going to drop.