Solar recommendations?

[Ahultin]

For us, the solar has worked out as well as expected. We are on propane so to kick on the gas heater is currently ~4 gallons of propane per hour or ~$20. A heat pump was still a question mark as to how it would work in our climate and would have required significant increase to our pv array (or paying sdge ungodly rates). The installed cost heat pump vs pool solar was roughly equivalent (though I do have accommodation in both the plumbing and electrical to add a heat pump should the need arise)

 

[Ahultin]

The solar ramps the pump from ~1000 rpm to ~1700 rpm. Usage at 1000 is ~80 watts, usage at 1700 is ~275 watts and solar avgs 8hr/dy

 

[tradewinds]

The solar ramps the pump from ~1000 rpm to ~1700 rpm. Usage at 1000 is ~80 watts, usage at 1700 is ~275 watts and solar avgs 8hr/dy

Do you have all the water going to solar array or just a %?

 

[Ahultin]

Do you have all the water going to solar array or just a %?

The solar actuator moves several times throughout the day dependant on the differential between pool water temp and the tempnat the panels. When activated, 100% of the flow is thru the panels.

 

[Ahultin]

I'll also mention, I did quite a bit of playing with the flow Rate to balance between highest hear transfer efficiency and lowest pump cost. 1700 rpm was a good balance but is on the lower end of the flow range for my 10 panel split array.