Help with Solar decision and my roof orientation

[chuck1971]

I am very interested in heating my yet to be built pool with Solar. I am stuck now, because my roof that I could use for panels faces NORTH. From what I read, this is basically unacceptable. Here is why I am having a dilema with this. My roof is a large soft pitch flat roof that gets BEAT with sun. Does anyone out there successfully use solar facing North? Does it work, just not as efficiently? I have put a picture in of the roof as well, Thanks for your comments.

My pool will be about a 30K gallon vinyl.

 

[JasonLion]

Solar panels on a North facing roof will provide some heat, but less than on a south facing roof. How much less depends on the slope of your roof and where you are. The further North you are the more dramatic the difference. Near the equator a North facing roof wouldn't be too bad but in Canada it would mean a major loss of output.

 

[EskimoPie]

It's going to be less efficient for sure, but you should be able to compensate with more panels... it'll add cost, but it looks like you have a LOT of available roof space. I've read you want a MINIMUM of 60% of your pool surface in solar panel coverage w/ a nice southern exposure. I'd guessing with only northern, you'd probably want in the range of 120% surface coverage.

 

[pooladdict]

Chuck, is that picture the back of your house that faces North? If that is the case, you can put your panels on the front of your house. I have around 340 Sq Ft of Surface in my pool, I have 160 Sq Ft of panels facing south, I easily get 10 degree boost when the sun is showing its pretty face. That being said I will be adding 1 or 2 more panels next summer, cuz I am a Tim Taylor Type 1 Personality, MORE IS BETTER

I have a neighbor who has his panels on the front of his house, if done properly and all white piping is painted black, you can barely notice it.

Rik