Tho it often costs me more money in the long run, I like to tinker and have been wanting to build an electric producing solar panel for a while and making one to help heat the pool gives me an excuse.
Idea of a diy panel is here - http://www.mdpub.com/SolarPanel/index.html
Just making one for electric is pretty straight forward and about as simple as could be, but am wondering how I could convert this to also be a pool heater and was wondering if anyone had any ideas ?
I guess the big thing is how to mount the cells so they will heat the pipe. frame would just be made deeper for the pipe to fit, but can't think of a way to then mount the cells above the pipe without putting down another substrate, which would block the sunlight from reaching the pipe.
Yes, I know it would be just as cheap, or maybe even cheaper to just buy one, but I do love to tinker with stuff like this. just curious if anyone has an idea on how i could mount the cells so the pipe still received the heat.
Idea of a diy panel is here - http://www.mdpub.com/SolarPanel/index.html
Just making one for electric is pretty straight forward and about as simple as could be, but am wondering how I could convert this to also be a pool heater and was wondering if anyone had any ideas ?
I guess the big thing is how to mount the cells so they will heat the pipe. frame would just be made deeper for the pipe to fit, but can't think of a way to then mount the cells above the pipe without putting down another substrate, which would block the sunlight from reaching the pipe.
Yes, I know it would be just as cheap, or maybe even cheaper to just buy one, but I do love to tinker with stuff like this. just curious if anyone has an idea on how i could mount the cells so the pipe still received the heat.