We have a lot of tile roofs in Florida. Sometimes known as barrel tile, S-tile, Roman tile, Spanish tile, or Mediterranean tile (among other names), these roofs are popular, especially in gated communities. Installing solar pool heating panels presents challenges on tile roofs, and we like the aluminum rack method. This method uses structural aluminum channels to act as a …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …