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Thread: Do solar panels really work?

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Indiana.
    Posts
    700

    Default Re: Do solar panels really work?

    Quote Originally Posted by simsjim View Post
    Dumb Questions about set up

    Does the addtion of solar panels create the need for larger pump - because of the addtional head?
    It usually doesn't, but in most installations, a bypass valve is installed to allow routing some of the pump output past the panels to maintain reasonable pressure.

    Quote Originally Posted by simsjim View Post
    Can I bypass (with a valve) the water's path through the panels if my pool temp is where I want it to be? - I think i know the answer to this but just want to be sure.
    The bypass valve mentioned above can perform this function as well.

    Quote Originally Posted by simsjim View Post
    Is the head calcualtion any different since I would be going vertically up to my roof to reach the panels? IE can a WhisperFlo 3/4 HP EE pump handle the addtional head of the panels?
    Probably. Depends how high the roof is among many other system specific variables.

    Quote Originally Posted by simsjim View Post
    I am assuming ALL of the routing to/from the panels happens AFTER the filter just like in more 'conventional' heater set ups. Is this true?
    Yes, but don't put the panels after a chlorinator.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    395

    Default Re: Do solar panels really work?

    Assuming the pump can initiall lift the water the height really does not come into play as you are pumping up but the falling water acts like a siphon pulling down on the pump. If you draw a box around the entire system you are only raising water from the skimmer level and injecting it back at the surface for a net rise of about a foot or less. You do have the friction loss in the added piping but it should not be that big a factor. I put in 1.5" pipe for my two panels, way overkill but causes almost no head loss.

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