We have published many posts on the myths, inaccuracies, and outright lies that some competitors talk about during sales presentations. When we bust the myth, they tend to move on to another scare tactic. Here one you might hear that has been used extensively recently: “They use a plastic header clamps and ours is metal.” So? Yeah. And? I guess …
Solar Panel Design to Reality – Visualize Projects in 3D
When designing solar panel layouts, we do everything in three dimensions. This helps us and clients visualize the final product much better. It also improves accuracy. This video demonstrates a real project that we laid out in 3D and turned it into a reality at a home in Southwest Florida. We did a “fly-over” animation using our 3D computer model …
Why You Need A Local Solar Contractor
I recently received a request from a friend of a friend to provide advice about installing solar panels at her new home in Denmark. I am a people-pleaser – always one to help. But solar contracting is so specific to the country, state, and even city in which you live. I was able to provide some general help, but ultimately …
Solar Panels With Multiple Meters at Facility
Many businesses and some homes have multiple utility meters that record energy use in different buildings or groups of buildings. This presents a challenge for solar panel installations. The current Netmetering Rule in Florida treats each utility meter as a separate customer. Even though your business entity may be the same, the utility company bills you separately for usage on each …
Solar Pool Heater Plumbing – Before or After Gas and Electric Heaters
There is a certain way that all solar pool heaters should be integrated into the plumbing of a new or existing pool. Solar panels are always installed after the pool filter and a series of vales controls operation. One of the questions we get is whether we plan to install the solar pool heater before or after an existing gas …
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 …
March 2017 Solar Panel Design Layouts
Here are some recent solar panel layout we have done for clients. These three dimensional computer models are produced to accurately size and depict solar panels on roofs using aerial imagery and a proprietary process that we developed that results in a high level of accuracy. Solar Panel 3D Computer Renderings Using two dimensional aerial imagery is not adequate, as skewed …
Why are Solar Pool Heaters Sized Based on Surface Area
We have written before on how to size a solar pool heating system. We even have a solar pool heating sizing calculator. However, we still get lots of questions asking why are solar pool heaters sized based on surface area rather than the volume of water. Size is Related to Surface Area Most people think that the pool volume is the …
Solar Electric Systems in Fort Myers, FL
As pools get warm and solar pool heating season winds down, electricity use in the home increases from air conditioning and solar electric systems in Fort Myers, FL become a popular topic in the homes of our clients. Solar electricity offsets the utility electric usage in a home or business to which it is connected. The panels connect into the …
The Flow Imbalance Myth Debunked
When you can’t compete, confuse. That seems to be the tactic used by some of our competitors at times. The latest myth is that our solar pool heating panels have big tube openings, and therefore the flow rate is imbalanced across the panels. Of course, they leave out the science behind their claims, but why rely on facts?! The full flow tubes …
Dealing with Roof Obstructions and Vents for Solar Pool Heating Panels
When installing solar pool heating panels, it is very often the case that roof vents and other obstructions come into play. Placing panels in a way that takes advantage of the available roof space becomes a challenge. There are a several strategies that we use to deal with vents and other obstructions, which may include plumbing vents, attic vents, satellite …
How Many Solar Panels Do I Need To Heat My Pool?
To calculate the number of solar panels you need to heat your pool, the most important factors are your pool size in square feet of surface area and on which roof you plan to install your solar panels. After selecting a few other factors, we can easily calculate the number of solar panels you will need depending on the solar …
Large Solar Pool Heating System Installed in Fort Myers, FL
This large solar pool heater was designed and installed by Florida Solar Design Group in Fort Myers, FL for a family with a recently remodeled pool. Situated on a perfectly oriented south roof with an ideal pitch for winter performance, this solar pool heater will be a top performer, drastically extending the family’s swim season, providing heated pool water throughout …
Shady Solar Contractors – Literally and Figuratively
I have sounded the warning bells about shady solar contractors before, but a recent call from a prospective client highlighted the lengths some will go to make a buck. Just about the first thing we do when a call comes in from a prospective client is to look at the roof using aerial imagery. We don’t want to waste your …
Solar Pool Heating Panel Designs, February 2016
Here are some of our solar pool heating designs from around Southwest Florida completed in February 2016. Contact us for a free solar panel evaluation for your roof!
Day 11: Best Solar Pool Heating System Performance
This article is part of a series: The 12 Days of Solar Pool Heating. Solar pool heating performance is about so much more than just the panel. While panel performance is important, and iSwim Solar Pool Heating Panels are among the top rated panels in terms of BTU heating output, the system performance is what’s key to a warm pool. On Day …
Solar Photovoltaic System Design Layouts – November 2015
Here is a video showing some recent solar photovoltaic (electric) system designs completed in November 2015. We use a proprietary process and templates to design solar energy system presentations for prospective clients. These design renderings provide homeowners the opportunity to see where solar panels can be mounted on their roofs and put a solar energy installation into perspective. By selecting …
SanCap Solar Connect Photovoltaic System Designs
Here are images of Florida Solar Design Group’s latest photovoltaic (solar electric) system designs for the SanCap Solar Connect Program. If you live on Sanibel or Captiva Islands, sign up today for a free home evaluation and find out more about the program offering discounted solar panels to the community at: http://wepowr.com/sancapsolar
Charlotte County PACE Financing for Solar Panels
Attention Charlotte County, Port Charlotte, and Punta Gorda home and business owners: PACE financing is available for funding your solar panel installations! PACE stands for Property Assessed Clean Energy, and it is a financing mechanism that allows you to finance energy efficiency projects with no money down. The payments are made through your property tax via a non-ad valorem assessment. …
October 2015 Solar Panel Design Layouts
Here are a variety of recent solar pool heating and solar electric (photovoltaic) system designs from the first half of October 2015 by Florida Solar Design Group. For a free evaluation of your roof with 3D computer modeling, contact us! See more solar designs here.