We have a very limited area for our pool - a cul de sac in the woods. This spot is virtually hidden from the road and protected from wind most of the time. It left little room for panels though - the oval pool sits the long way from east to west and the shade from the forest/woods is right up to the south side of the pool. The panel rack is constructed right up to the north side of the pool - it is constructed a lot like a pergola. The frame is wood and 2.5" pvc pipe with a chicken wire support base. The panels are removed each fall to store for the winter.
These pics were taken early in the morning when the sun is still on the far east. Once it rolls around to the south and higher in the sky, the panels receive full sun right up until around 7:30-8:30 at night, depending on the time of the year.
I just got my racks finished this past weekend, now I'm in the process of mounting the panels. I'll try to remember to grab a pic when I get home tonight and post it.
I'm still in the building process (as evidenced by the PVC and mounds of dirt everywhere )
I put the 2nd rack a bit too close to the first, so it gets about a 1 foot shadow on the bottom of it for part of the day. Nothing I can do about it now!
Hopefully in a few weeks I'll know how well they work. I have 4x4's in the middle in addition to at the ends, and 2x4's every 2 feet. I put plywood over the entire surface on the recommendation of several people here.
I am glad I started this post some people go all out and some not as much and all work good and get the job done. It all depends on the time and money and skill level a person has I guess. Thanks all so far with there pictures.
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