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 …
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 …
Microgrid Interconnect Devices in the National Electrical Code
The Microgrid Interconnect Device (MID) has had a significant impact on the National Electrical Code (NEC), particularly in the context of distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar photovoltaic systems, battery storage, and microgrids. Major changes in the 2020 NEC have caused some confusion about the applicability of certain code sections. The MID is a device or system that allows for …
Solar Panel Warranties: Why They Might Not Be as Useful as You Think
In the world of solar energy, warranties are often touted as a mark of quality and reliability. After all, who wouldn’t want the assurance that their investment in solar panels is protected against defects and performance issues? Manufacturers put out fancy marketing brochures and nebulous certification programs to demonstrate confidence in their products. However, as a seasoned solar veteran, I’ve …
Solar Panel Failures – Bypass Diodes
If you are experiencing reduced solar panel output, buy a lottery ticket. Solar panel failures are exceedingly rare. Most people worry about their solar panel putting out less power over time, which is called degradation. That’s a relatively difficult thing to diagnose and hard to prove. However, bypass diode failures in solar panels are relatively easy to spot and diagnose …
Solar Generators | Portable Power Stations
They are called all kinds of things. Solar Generators. Portable Power Stations. Portable Battery Backup. Portable Power Stations. Solar Battery Banks. Whatever. These are just words without context, and these products’ manufacturers make sensational claims that have to be true – after all, they’re on the Internet! If It’s Too Good to be True, It Probably Is Have you read …
How Enphase Lifetime Free Solar Monitoring Works
Enphase provides world-class solar monitoring and unparalleled customer support. When you purchase an Enphase microinverter based solar electric system from Florida Solar Design Group, you will automatically get access to Enphase’s Enlighten solar monitoring platform and app. We will install a data monitoring gateway that connects to your home Wi-Fi network and sends performance data to the Enphase Cloud where …
Ground Mounted Solar Panels
People ask us sometimes if we do ground-mounted solar panels. Solar photovoltaic systems can be mounted on traditional solar rails with engineered racking systems. And, YES, we install solar panels on ground racks. But NO, we do not recommend them in Southwest Florida. Why You Should, Or Shouldn’t, Consider a Ground Mount It might seem like a great idea at …
How Much Space do Enphase Encharge Batteries Require?
Solar energy with battery backup is increasing in popularity as technology evolves and systems become less expensive and more consumer-friendly. Enphase’s Encharge batteries, part of the Enphase Ensemble system, are a go-to option for consumers who have or are considering Enphase microinverters. The undisputed leader in microinverter technology for solar photovoltaic systems, Enphase dominates the local market. One of the …
How To Best Use The Enphase Enlighten App
The Enphase Enlighten app comes standard with every Enphase microinverter system we install. This app is free from the manufacturer and allows you to view your system performance. We create this video to help you navigate the app and demonstrate how to use it to best understand your energy flows. This video is best viewed in full screen on a …
Pentair Superflo VS Pool Pump Updated With New Automation Options
The Pentair Superflo VS is being re-released with some new automation functionality. We previously recommended against this pump for a couple of reasons, primarily due to the analog automation options and 1.5 HP rating. The new automation options make it a good choice under certain circumstances. We have always recommended “oversizing” variable speed pumps so you can get the advantages …
Rooftop Solar Panel Fire Safety – Why Microinverters Are The Only Prudent Choice
When businesses contemplate a solar panel installation, the main goal is usually return on investment, or ROI. That means the solar panels and other equipment must be the most cost-effective possible and the installation often goes to the lowest bidder. Homeowners often seek top quality, features, and gadgets. They want a good deal, but they also want the latest technology …
What Is The Cheapest Way To Heat My Pool?
If you are looking for the cheapest way to heat your Florida pool, you have come to the right place. It’s a bit of a loaded question, but we will walk you through the options and relative costs of each major pool heating method. For our analysis, we are going to assume similar quality levels for all technologies. For example, …
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. …
How We Stack Up Against Competition’s Years in Business
Solar Pool Heating Competition Let’s come right out and say it. Our business was officially started in 2014. That makes us a young company by most definitions. Our competition would like you to think that we are inexperienced and don’t have the credentials to install your solar pool heater. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. So how do we stack …
Real Stories of Solar Panel Service Calls: Episode 1
We service all brands of solar pool heating panel. The stories range from sad to funny and everything in between. While most service calls are routine issues resolved, some are not so simple. And others are incredibly simple. We’ve decided to share some of our stories as we come across them, and this is Episode 1. We’re calling this one …
First Contractor in Southwest Florida to Earn UAS License
Solar Contractor To Use UAS (Drones) For Commercial Use Florida Solar Design Group’s Jason Szumlanski will become the first contractor in Southwest Florida to earn an FAA Part 107 Commercial UAS License. Small Unmanned Aerial Systems, commonly known as drones, require an FAA license to operate for commercial purposes. Szumlanski, who also holds an FAA Part 61 Private Pilot License for …
Solar Pool Panel Cost
Note: This article focuses on the cost of solar pool heating panels specifically. If you are at the beginning of your research about solar pool heaters, your first question is probably about the solar pool panel cost. Most systems come as a fully installed package. Dealers will give you turnkey pricing including all engineering, permits, and installation. This is especially true …