Anyone have any pictures of their Solar Panels?

[Karen_in_TN]

We've got ours on three tables we made. We only need ours up from April to June and then from September to October. The rest of the time we put them away because we have a small, small backyard and get tired of looking at them. We also have ours plumbed seperately from our main pump using an Intex pump. Ignore the dead grass and horrible bushes. Between a late freeze here and the complete lack of rain everything looks horrible.

[NullQwerty]

Thanks for the great pics everyone! It's giving me some good ideas.

Oh and CarlD...nice job on the floor unit being your panels...Impressive!

Karen_in_TN....Does the lawn underneath the panels start dying after they've been out for a month? That's one thing I was concerned about.

Thanks again!

[CarlD]

Thanks for the great pics everyone! It's giving me some good ideas.

Oh and CarlD...nice job on the floor unit being your panels...Impressive!

Karen_in_TN....Does the lawn underneath the panels start dying after they've been out for a month? That's one thing I was concerned about.

Thanks again!

Thanks! My better half was very particular about how our pool would look, and this was a great way to incorporate what I wanted, what she would find attractive, and what the town would let me do.

Karen_in_TN: Here's a thought: If the grass is going to die under the panels anyway, then just lay them on the ground. Here's why: The heat from the panels will bake the ground underneath--no gross worms and bugs because it's far too hot for them. The ground will heat up around the panels and you'll be able to run them for a couple of hours AFTER the sun passes--the heat from the ground will continue to heat the water. I'm not speculating on this--I've had it work on two separate systems I've done, one on my old pool, the other on my parents' pool. Remember: As long as the water from the panels is warmer than the pool, even the littlest bit, it's adding heat energy.

N_Mom--you may want to consider adding more supports so the panels don't droop and get additonal strain, especially at the ends as cantilevers. You could just cut in and glue Tees with extra length to support it. Also, cross-bracing between the "rafters" should also keep the system flatter and with less strain, and therefore a longer life. I know the panels roll in the winter but it's very different when they are full of water. Just some ideas for a very nice and clever system.

[Karen_in_TN]

It really doesn't kill the grass. (Right now that's about all the grass we've got that isn't scorched) It turns a little brown, but recovers quickly after they're moved. The only place it really kills the grass is where the 4 x 4 's sit on the ground.

Carl, I had them on the ground at our previous house, and it does indeed work better with them on the ground. Fortunately where they are gets sun from whenever it comes up until around 6pm. And considering right now I've got the water up to 94 degrees I don't think I need more heat. (I've VERY cold natured and won't get in unless it's at least 85.) We plan on taking them down either this weekend or next.