The easy answer is YES! You can put solar pool heating panels and solar electric panels on the same roof. The real question is do you have enough space, and what is the best orientation? Our general recommendation is to save your best roof for solar electric panels. Because they are more expensive and reliant on a good orientation for …
My Solar Heated Pool Feels Warmer in the Morning
When a solar pool heater owner says that their pool feels warmer in the morning, especially this time of year, it’s usually a matter of perception. As you would expect, solar pool heaters only heat pools during the day when the sun is out and the pool pump is running. Naturally, the temperature in the pool will typically rise throughout …
Decisions, Decisions; Where to Put Solar Pool Heating Panels
We are often faced with options when selecting a roof on which to place solar pool heating panels. Sometimes the optimal roof is too small to accommodate the number of panels that we suggest for ideal performance. In the images below, there are two viable options for solar pool heating, the south and the east roofs. There are trade-offs that …
Solar Design: More Than a Pretty Picture
Renderings of solar panels on buildings are very helpful in visualizing the scale and look of a project. However, there are practical reasons to develop 3D computer models of solar panel layouts, and one of the most important is evaluating shading. When obstruction exist like trees, buildings, power lines, and others, it is important to evaluate the impact of shade. …
Interactive 3D Models of Solar Panel Designs
Sure, two dimensional representations of three dimensional models are pretty cool on paper or in PDF presentation format, but what if you could interact with a 3D model in a simple, easy to use format in a web browser? Well, you can! When we do a three dimensional model, it can be uploaded and shared via a web link. Immersive …
Rendering Scenes for 3D Computerized Solar Designs
I’m constantly working to improve the visual renderings of our 3D computerized solar designs. We have mastered the art of taking aerial imagery and making three dimensional roofs on which we can display solar panels. However, one of the biggest challenges is modeling screened pool cages that are ubiquitous in Southwest Florida. Ideally we would just build a box with a raised …
Another Massive Fail for FPL as Rebate Application Computers Freeze
UPDATE: Our industry trade group, FlaSEIA, has set up a RATE PAYER FAIRNESS Hot Line. If you were negatively impacted by this failure, it is imperative that you call (407) 339-2010. Here we go again. Last week FPL had to acknowledge that it opened the final round of the popular residential solar rebate program early. This week, after FPL announced that it would restart …
Should I Put Solar Panels on the Front of My House?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. We’ve been taught that lesson all our lives. Maybe I’m biased, but I think solar panels look great! A frequent question, and often a conundrum, is whether a client should put solar panels on the front of their house. The answer boils down to a balance between aesthetic, performance, and legal concerns. …
Urban Solar vs. Suburban Solar in Florida
I have been asked “why Southwest Florida.” The markets in Tampa, Orlando, and Miami are much larger urban centers with far greater population. It seems like the solar energy business would be much better in these populations centers where there are far more residential energy customers. Florida is a sleeping giant when it comes to solar energy market potential, but …
Florida Solar Design Group is on Facebook
In case you didn’t know, Florida Solar Design Group is on Facebook. Like our page and get updates about recent projects and designs. https://www.facebook.com/floridasolardesigngroup Post by Florida Solar Design Group.
Floridians for Solar Choice Sponsors Ballot Initiative
Floridians for Solar Choice is sponsoring a Constitutional Amendment that we support, and you should, too! The purpose of the initiative is to encourage and promote local small-scale solar-generated electricity production and to enhance the availability of solar power to customers. The essential goal here is to allow individuals and business the freedom to produce and sell electricity, and to purchase …
What Happens With Solar Panels When It’s Cloudy?
In a now-famous video among solar energy industry colleagues, the Chairman of the Florida Public Service Commission suggested the The Sunshine State is just a license plate slogan. Solar energy opponents have included Florida’s often cloudy weather in talking points that express doubt about the viability of solar energy in Florida. In fact, Florida Power & Light’s parent company, NextERA …
Reports of Unfair Early FPL Solar Rebate Applications
Note: See updates in Comments below. The last round of the FPL Solar Rebate Program was supposed to begin taking applications at 8:30 am ET today on FPL’s website. There are reports rolling in of applications being started (and possibly even completed) prior to the start time. Several applicants reported that the Apply button showed up as early as 8:23 …
Visualizing a Solar Pool Heating System on Your Roof
It is extremely beneficial to show prospective buyers of solar pool heating systems what the panels will look like on their home. Whether it’s concern about a homeowner’s association, the neighbor’s view, how the system will look from the golf course, or just general aesthetic concern, putting solar pool heating panels into perspective (pun intended) serves an important purpose in …
Florida Solar Design Group is Open for Business
Florida Solar Design Group opened it’s doors in Fort Myers, FL on January 2 to provide solar consulting, design, and sales. We are excited to show our unique approach to solar education and provide a great customer experience for those who decide to move forward with a solar energy system installation. We offer solar electricity systems, solar pool heaters, solar …
Don’t Buy the Wrong Variable Speed Pool Pump
You may have heard about the fantastic energy savings that can be realized with a variable speed pool pump (aka Variable Frequency Drive or VFD pumps). It’s true that these pumps can save a ton of money. Even running at the same flow rate, variable speed pumps are inherently more efficient than the single speed variety. When used at a …
Solar Pool Heating on a Flat Roof
We are asked frequently, can I put solar pool heating panels on a flat roof? The answer is yes, if there is no suitable pitched roof, it can be done. But we don’t do it for very good reasons. Ideally, solar panels are mounted on a pitched roof facing south. West and east roofs can also work. However, where shading …
Photovoltaic Systems Can Fit Any Roof
Sometimes it’s a challenge to fit a photovoltaic (solar electric) system on a roof, but with careful planning, most any roof can accommodate at least some solar panels. This roof (which happens to be mine) was a bit challenging because I have a unique dining room that juts out from the south roof onto the pool deck. The system was …
Practice What You Preach – My Solar Energy Home
Last year I finally installed a grid-interactive solar energy system on my own home, and I couldn’t be more proud. Of course, it was expertly installed (by me), and it looks and performs great. I have learned so much about living with grid-interactive solar energy – more than I could have imagined. It is, as I knew, a seamless experience. …