I just got a $54 electric bill for my 3,000 square foot home. Pretty good, right? I’m walking the walk! Well, it’s not what I had hoped when I installed my solar electric system, but that’s because I’m wildly wasteful now (not that I’m proud of it). I was spoiled by the low electric bills that started coming after I …
It Rains a Lot in Florida. What Does That Mean for Solar Energy?
One of my favorite Seinfeld clips is this one where Newman proclaims that he does not work in the rain. Well, neither do we, but for good reason! Installing solar panels in the rain has it’s obvious dangers. Slippery roofs, visibility, potential roof leaks, and lightning are all problems that prevent work during rainy conditions. There are, however, somethings we …
Electric Heat Pump Pool Heater vs. Gas Pool Heater
In my last article I discussed the pros and cons of an electric heat pump pool heater vs. a solar pool heater. While it has little to do with solar pool heating, I thought I would point out the differences between the two traditional heat sources used for residential swimming pool heating, which are heat pumps and gas pool heaters. …
Electric Heat Pump Pool Heater vs. Solar Pool Heater
Should you buy an electric pool heater (heat pump) or a solar pool heater? Each has its pros and cons, some of which are shared. Electric Heat Pump Pool Heaters Electric heat pumps are popular in Florida, and for good reason. Since heat pumps use the latent heat in the air to heat your pool, warm Florida daytime temperatures are …
Not Enough Room For Solar Pool Heating! What Are My Options?
I was recently contacted by a friend from high school who is having a pool built at her Naples, FL home. She was interested in a solar pool heating system to make the pool more enjoyable for her children. Initially I was excited to show a friend what we can do, but I took one look at her roof and …
Solar Pool Heater Not Working? Clean Your Filter!
I always get that sinking feeling in my stomach when a client reports that their solar pool heater is not working. What that usually means is the pool is not getting warm, or at least the solar pool heater is not performing as well as it once did. Once I get over the initial uneasy feeling, I get back to …
Can I Have Solar Pool Heating and Solar Electric (Photovoltaic) Panels on the Same Roof?
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. …
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. …
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 …
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 …