Anybody have solar heat in iowa?

[iowabowhunter]

Looking for options to heat my pool indoor / inground gunite pool in Iowa. I've been looking at two options linked to solar. One option is a solar pool heater but how well would that work in the early spring and late fall months in Iowa and I don't like the idea of pumping water onto the roof. The other option I've been thinking about is installing a Coates electric pool heater and then installing a grid tie solar array to offset the energy use of the heater and the pump.. I'd like some feedback or other options.

Thanks

 

[JohnT]

Pool solar will work, but the problem is it isn't very good with cool air temperatures.

I'd certainly go with a heat pump over a straight electric heater if you are only interested in spring through fall.

 

[swimcmp]

From my past experience I would recommend putting coils in the shell of the pool and putting a gas water heater on it. Depending on the gallons you are trying to heat it would take probably 10 of them to be able to heat the pool.