Sungrabber solar panel flow rate calculation

[CarlD]

It should, but really what you want is the maximum flow through the panels without straining the pump or risking damaging the panels (which usually isn't a problem).

Here's a tip: If you think you need to slow down the water in the panels so it heats up more, that's wrong. All you are doing is preventing the movement of heat energy. Remember: It's all about HEAT transfer, not temperature. You want to maximize BTU output from your panels, not degrees and the more water you can safely move through the panels, the better! (There are some physical limits, such as cavitation of the water, but you'll never see them)

If the water from the panels is flowing very strongly (and not crossing that 8psi limit) and the water from the panels is only slightly warmer than the pool, it's working and working well! If your pool is 75 and your panels are putting out 77deg, don't worry. When the water is 77, the panels will be 79 deg as they are EFFICIENTLY transferring heat energy to your water!

I find that when the flow is too high, it's obvious because the skimmer and the main return just don't seem to be working too well. If I cut the flow to the panels and the skimmer and return improve, I know I had too much flow to the panels. You want to get it where the pool's plumbing is working well AND there is an ample flow through the panels.