Hi there
We're thinking about putting a solar heater on our 15x25 aboveground pool. We're in the country with lots of land and sun. We'd like to find a reasonably-priced, fairly compact, passive solar model (in other words, just a simple above ground pool solar panel along-side pool (like it says in the FAFCO ads). Any recommendations, warnings, suggestiongs? Thanks!
This is my first year with our (1) solar panel...and I must say I do love this thing! I'm getting that little kick in the temperature that has enabled us to go swimming, comfortably, for a good part of the year.
When trying to come up with a mounting device I built a large framed structure set on an angle that would hold the solar panel. I really didn't care for it. Even after staining it, with black stain, it looked pretty imposing. You could see it from the road so I decided to get rid of it. I came up with a possible design out of wrought iron that would look better. But during the prototype I got the best idea that I thought I have had for mounting the solar panel. I simply brought in a good load of dirt and formed a small hill to the angle I wanted to mount the panel. Then I put down a good layer of mulch, which heats up good on warm summer days due to decomposition. I put a row of patio stone every three foot to raise the panel off of the ground and that's it.
good luck!
dan