Collier County Building Department has recently reduced permit and inspection fees for solar pool heaters. Fees are now approximately 1/3rd less than previous rates! The jurisdiction previously had the highest permit fees in the Southwest Florida area. We never understood why the fees were so far out of line with other building departments, and it seems they have realized the same …
Do Heated Pools Cause More Evaporation and Water Use?
Heated pools do result in more evaporation, so more make-up water is required to refill heated pools than unheated pools. Whether using solar heating, heat pumps, or gas heaters, heated pools do require more water. But how much will the increase in water usage cost? We have heard just about every question imaginable when it comes to solar pool heating. …
Solar Panel Inspections with Drones
After Hurricane Irma, we found that it was very helpful to launch our Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), commonly known as a drone. For homes and businesses where solar panels are not easily seen from the ground, the drone was extremely valuable. Drones allow safe, quick, and effective visual observations on rooftops. While there are some limitations in terms of inspections, …
Pentair Introduces Intelliflo VSF Variable Speed/Flow Pump
The Industry Leader Gets Better Pentair has combined the features of its variable speed (VS) and variable flow (VF) pumps into one model that does both. The new model is the Intelliflo VSF. This is the first swimming pool pump on the market that can perform variable speed and flow functions in a single unit. We previously recommended the Pentair …
Hurricane Irma Solar Panel Report
To all of our affected neighbors, we understand that this is a difficult time for many of you. Our local employees and company have been adversely affected too, but we are staying positive about the future. We are ready to help where needed. Summary of Hurricane Impact on Southwest Florida Solar Panels We are pleased to report that there are …
Can Solar Contractors Remove Solar Panels as Hurricanes Approach?
As you might imagine, people start calling solar contractors as storms approach. They are inquiring about how their solar panels will weather the storm or if they can get solar panels as a backup power source. When storms approach, it is generally too late to make these decisions, and new systems require a permitting/engineering/procurement timeframe. There are tens of thousands …
Progress at Mirada – Southwest Florida’s First All Solar Community
With our partners at Urban Solar, we have completed over two dozen homes at Mirada, Lennar Homes’ community where 100% of the homes will get solar power. Slated for over 100 homes, Mirada is Southwest Florida’s first community where every home will be powered by a photovoltaic system. The homes are built to be energy efficient in the first place. …
Home Batteries Don’t Pay
With all of the recent hype about battery based electric cars and home battery systems coming out from Tesla and other manufacturers, it’s no wonder we get lots of battery backup inquiries. But home batteries don’t pay – at least not in Florida, not now. It reminds me of the hilarious SNL skit about the new Mercedes AA Class – …
Why “Oversize” A Variable Speed Pool Pump
We have heard it over and over again. A client tells us that their pool builder or service company said a 3 horsepower Pentair Intelliflo pump is too big for their pool. It’s oversized. It’s overkill. It will destroy their pool plumbing. It will drain the oceans dry, trap baby seals, and eat all of the lobster in the sea. …
How Much Energy Do I Lose If Solar Panels Are Not South?
There are many factors that go into solar panel energy production. The orientation, meaning the compass direction toward which they tilt, is one of the important factors. But you might be surprised at how little impact it really has. Here in Southwest Florida, we are pretty far south, so at mid-day on the longest day of the year, the sun …