pool heating solar Panels

There are two main types of solar panels for swimming pools: Unglazed and Glazed... Unglazed pool heating panels are the cheaper and by far the most common type of panels in pool heating applications.

It’s easy to heat a pool with solar energy. Cold water is pumped from the pool through solar panels where the water is heated, before being pumped back into the pool, warming it and extending the swimming season. Solar pool heating systems require the integration of the solar panels with the elements used to circulate the water in pools: the pump and the filter system.

Solar pool Heating panels

Solar pool heating panels are the same glazed and unglazed panels used in other solar applications, namely to heat domestic hot water year-round or to home-space heating.

Some manufacturers have included details and enhancements in their solar panels for pool applications, but the core of the technology is the same.

Anyway it’s important to choose well manufactured and certified pool heating panels. They may differ in important details like the number of tubes, the quality of the materials, the lightweight, the ultraviolet polymers...

For that purpose, take a look at the collectors and systems certified by FSEC (Florida Solar Energy Center): FSEC: Approved solar systems for pool heating and their manufacturers; FSEC: Certified solar pool heating collectors and their manufacturers or ot the Solar Pool Panels Manufacturers listing of RSPEC.

Solar flat unglazed panels

Solar flat unglazed panels are the most common type of solar pool heating panels worldwide. They don’t have the glass covering of the flat glazed panels, and are generally made of special rubber and polymers treated with ultraviolet light inhibitors for a longer lifespan.

They are relatively inexpensive, and can easily raise the temperature of the pool water up to 70ºF/ 20ºC in most climates and conditions. If you don’t intend to use your pool during cold weather, unglazed collectors are the most cost effective solar pool heating solution.

Image: Fafco Solar Heating System

Solar pool panels for cooler climates and longer swimming pool seasons

For colder climates, to extend the swimming season to cold months, glazed panels can be a better alternative. They are typically made of copper tubing on an aluminum plate, and have a special glass covering that increases their efficiency and... cost.

They are excellent for hybrid solar solutions, that is, for applications that also include heating of domestic hot water year-round, or home space heating.

Obviously, in freezing climates, solar pool heating systems have to include freeze protection and require more complex designs. See: Solar Designs.

Solar panels for up-ground pools

Some manufacturers are offering special panels for up-ground pools. In fact, they are inexpensive adaptations of unglazed panels with a control valve connecting the solar panel to the pool in order to let users to shut off the system to prevent overheating.

Sizing the solar pool panels area

There are several tools and software to calculate the ideal solar panel area in solar pool heating. See: Best of Solar Pools: Software

A basic rule recommends a solar panel area of at least 50 percent of the pool surface area. Another one recommends (for temperate climates) a panel area of 60%–70% of the pool's surface area for a swimming season of 6–8 months per year... In colder climates - for extended swimming seasons - the ideal solar panel area can go up to 100% of the pool's surface area.

All depends on exact mix of usage, climate and local weather patterns. And also on the type of pool heating panels...