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Possible to use solar panel to run a pool pump?

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  • #16
    I've got a pool and we run the pump for 4 hours a day. In winter I cut that to 3 hours a day. But it really depends on the pump volume. I'm not sure what the theory is but it is someting like this: You need to recirculate 50 % of your pool volume per day. The 50% is just a guess, and pool people would have the correct volume you need to recirculate. If it is a weak pump, you may have to run it all day and night. I was thinking of doing the same thing some day. I asked my taxman if I can get a rebate for the panels to run my pool pump...and he said NO because of it being for a pool. I'm not sure how'd they know though. And batteries are definately out of the question for me. The panels would have to run the pump during the day as long as the sun shines....and it shines in San Diego.

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    • #17
      Originally posted by pmaru77 View Post
      I've got a pool and we run the pump for 4 hours a day. In winter I cut that to 3 hours a day. But it really depends on the pump volume. I'm not sure what the theory is but it is someting like this: You need to recirculate 50 % of your pool volume per day. The 50% is just a guess, and pool people would have the correct volume you need to recirculate. If it is a weak pump, you may have to run it all day and night. I was thinking of doing the same thing some day. I asked my taxman if I can get a rebate for the panels to run my pool pump...and he said NO because of it being for a pool. I'm not sure how'd they know though. And batteries are definately out of the question for me. The panels would have to run the pump during the day as long as the sun shines....and it shines in San Diego.
      You realize this thread is three years old?
      Ok as far as running the pump just do a Grid tie enough to offset the pump. you can then take the credits etc and feel good about running the pool pump.
      NABCEP certified Technical Sales Professional

      [URL="http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?5334-Solar-Off-Grid-Battery-Design"]http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...Battery-Design[/URL]

      [URL]http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html[/URL] (Voltage drop Calculator among others)

      [URL="http://www.gaisma.com"]www.gaisma.com[/URL]

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      • #18
        Originally posted by Naptown View Post
        You realize this thread is three years old?
        Ok as far as running the pump just do a Grid tie enough to offset the pump. you can then take the credits etc and feel good about running the pool pump.
        You are right, sir. This poser I mean poster only lasted 2 weeks and poof. There was just enuf info for him to abandon solar. That is probably pretty common to have short timers come and go with the harsh realities of solar costs. Butt I'm stuck here cause ther ain't no grid down south. .................New blood is good though?

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        • #19
          Originally posted by pmaru77 View Post
          You are right, sir. This poser I mean poster only lasted 2 weeks and poof. There was just enuf info for him to abandon solar. That is probably pretty common to have short timers come and go with the harsh realities of solar costs. Butt I'm stuck here cause ther ain't no grid down south. .................New blood is good though?
          New blood is good I agree.
          One problem is this forum is not necessarily a "green" one. Meaning that we do not pander to Pie in the sky ideas. We only give advise based on the legal and safe way of doing things, no shortcuts, no gaming the inspector or AHJ. Many do not want to believe what we tell them. Well that is too bad. We cannot give bad information. Someone may be hurt or killed.
          That said there are many places on the planet that have no codes etc. A poster that does not give his location (at least state if in the US) may receive information that is not relevant to their situation. Our information and advise is based on the NEC which is pretty much universally adopted in the US.
          NABCEP certified Technical Sales Professional

          [URL="http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?5334-Solar-Off-Grid-Battery-Design"]http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...Battery-Design[/URL]

          [URL]http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html[/URL] (Voltage drop Calculator among others)

          [URL="http://www.gaisma.com"]www.gaisma.com[/URL]

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          • #20
            Can you use solar to power a pool pump

            Not unless you have a very large solar array.

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            • #21
              Originally posted by roadcracks View Post
              Not unless you have a very large solar array.
              Look at this http://www.sunrayus.com/SolarProducts.php

              600 watts but a lousy spec sheet - they only give the max for head and flow which are at opposite ends of the pump curve
              [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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              • #22
                What ever they claim, you can divide it by 2 or 3. My pool pump costs about 30-35 bucks a month to run....not what they claim.

                But saving 30 bucks a month would add up pretty quick. 30x12= $360 a year.......$3600 over ten years....not counting inflation...but wait...there's no inflation, right? Ask Obama's crew. I be the system costs about 2 to 3 times that.

                The good old "call for price" is the killer. You know they want to send out a salesman to scope out the situation etc. which is fine ...but they should at least give some examples instead of the crazy "claims".

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                • #23
                  I'm no solar expert but I am a pool expert.
                  There is now on the market a soalr PV pool pump (I forget the name but I'm sure you can google it). It uses a DC water pump and they simply size it so what ever sun you get is enough. No fancy controls, no sun no pump and they run around $4,000.00 or more. Now you see why I haven't looked into it much.
                  You would do better to look into a 2 speed pump or the newer variable speed pumps. They run in the 1200 to 1800 dollar range and at 15 cent a KW boast a 3 three year ROI. The motors claim to be so efficient that even at regular speeds (3250 rpm) they coast 30% less to run than a standard pool pump.
                  CA and FL now require them on new construction so they should be easy to locate.

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                  • #24
                    Larry any idea of how much power these pumps use? How long they need to run each day? I would expect them to come in various sizes?
                    MSEE, PE

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                    • #25
                      Skunking,

                      The Company I'm trying to work with hasn't provided much information. They did say for the 5,000 gal pool we're working with they needed 2- 100 watt panles to achieve 36 gpm. It's been very fustrating dealing with this company and I'm about to look into puting a system to gether my self if they don't come through in the nex 2 weeks.

                      I would expect that yes they do come in differant sizes. The industry standard used to be one turn over in 8 hours but that has changed some with the new energy laws coming in. We're now looking at meeting two standards ansi/apsp 5 which says max water volocity would be 8 ft per second in suction lines and 10 in return lines with a turn over rate of at least 12 hours. And ansi/apsp 15 which limits these to 6 and 8 respectively for the primary filtration and t urn over rate not to exceed one in six hours. In addition the pumps must come from a national data base.

                      Of course the ansi/apsp 15 does not apply if your using a solar pv powered pump.

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                      • #26
                        Those are low turn over rates. On commercial pools here we need to turn over every 480 minutes and on a wading pool about 1/2 that time. been a while since I did one but that is what I remember.
                        NABCEP certified Technical Sales Professional

                        [URL="http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?5334-Solar-Off-Grid-Battery-Design"]http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...Battery-Design[/URL]

                        [URL]http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html[/URL] (Voltage drop Calculator among others)

                        [URL="http://www.gaisma.com"]www.gaisma.com[/URL]

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          Originally posted by Larry L View Post
                          Skunking,

                          The Company I'm trying to work with hasn't provided much information. They did say for the 5,000 gal pool we're working with they needed 2- 100 watt panles to achieve 36 gpm. It's been very fustrating dealing with this company and I'm about to look into puting a system to gether my self if they don't come through in the nex 2 weeks.
                          Larry no offense offered but that is a RED FLAG WARNING something is very wrong.

                          Something on the order of we have a car that gets 50 mpg, room for 6 large people, luxury with all the Bells and Whistles.
                          MSEE, PE

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                          • #28
                            Naptown,
                            480 minutes is an 8 hr turn over rate, right in the middle of the range I stated. That was for residencial pools, the reuqirement in FL for commercial pools is 4 turn overs in 24 hrs or 1 every 6. And yes wadeing/splash pools have a much higher turn over requirement.

                            Sunking,
                            No joke. Unfortunately it's not my deal there's a third party involved. I am how ever already looking into other options including the one mentioned above. Unfortunately it won't allow us to vaccume the pool. This only needs to be a recirc pump for 5000 gals. The pool also has a vanishing edge but that is served by a high volume low head lift pump I already have installed.

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                            • #29
                              I had a client run panels straight to a DC pool pump and it works great. Send me a private message and i'll put you in touch.

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                              • #30
                                Solar pump

                                Any one interested in purchasing a solar powered pool pump needs to check out the solar flow 2 at www. want cheap advertising.com The pump can be purchased by itself, or as a turn key kit including panels, pump, motor and electrical box. this system is very easy to install and is a stand alone system. no grid connection.
                                1 horsepower version is capable of 82 gallons per minute. A very reliable and reasonably priced unit.
                                Last edited by russ; 12-23-2013, 01:59 AM. Reason: removed ad

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