Solar Powered Pools

Choosing a Solar Powered Swimming Pool System.

Solar Powered Pools are an economical and green way to keep your pool heated and filtered. Here's how to get your solar swimming pool established and saving you money this season.

A solar powered swimming pool system is a good start toward helping the planet thrive and keeping your wallet a little plumper, all while you're having more fun.

Swimming pools and sunshine are a natural combination. Of all the systems that are more practical when solar powered, swimming pool heating and filtering are at the top of the list. Conventional filtration and heating of swimming pools are costly draws on your energy bill.

Most solar powered swimming pool owners happily report that swimming season is extended by as many as 3 months after a solar pump and heater have been installed without spending a single extra penny for energy.

Complete Solar Powered Pools are composed of:

• Solar Collector ~ Either glazed or unglazed solar collectors heat pool water that is circulated through them.


• Strainer ~ Removes larger debris before filtering.


• Filter ~ Filters are required in any swimming pool and serve to keep the water clean and free of debris.


• PV Panels ~ Photovoltaic panels produce the energy to run the pump.


• Pump ~ The pump circulates the water, drawing it from the pool, through filters and heater and back to the pool. Pumps are also required for any system however, a solar (DC) pump is about twice as efficient as an AC pump. A 1/2 hp DC pump can adequately replace a 1 hp AC pump. More about solar water pumps


• Flow Control Valve ~ Either automatic or manual, the flow control valve allows you to bypass the collectors when heating isn't required and to divert the pool water through the systems you choose.

For great cost saving tips visit our Solar Swimming Pool on a Budget page.

Advantages of Solar Powered Pools

• Extends swimming season... by months.
• Reduces use of crude oil products.
• Pays for itself rapidly.
• Environmentally benign.
• Saves money... lots of money.
• Reduces system maintenance
• Solar components typically last longer than AC.

Disadvantages of Solar Powered Pools

• Space requirements.
• Sunlight requirements.
• Lump sum cost.

You can build your own solar powered pool heater with easily acquired materials and reduce your costs.

To Cover or Not to Cover

95% of the heat loss of pool water occurs at the surface through evaporation, conduction and radiation, particularly at night and on chilly days. A pool cover not only reduces the cost of the system you'll require but keeps the heat where you want it.

Whether you are using solar energy or not for your swimming pool, a cover will normally pay for itself within the first year and is a worthy addition to your pool care regimen.

Cost of Solar Powered Pools

Expect to pay $3,000 to $4,000 USD for the installed system. Payback (when the system has paid for itself) is between 2 and 6 years and once it's paid for, a well maintained system will continue providing free energy for 5 to 15 years. There are many variables that determine the cost of solar powered pools. They're discussed below under sizing.

Check out our money saving instructions on how to make a swimming pool heater.

Sizing up Solar Powered Pools

Your solar powered swimming pool pump should exchange 100% of the contents of your pool in a 24 hour period.

The size of the system will depend on a number of variables including:

• Pool size and cycles per day.
• Size and type of filter and hoses. In general, pressure side cleaners require more pressure than suction side cleaners.
• Pressure the cleaning equipment requires.
• Amount of useable sunlight available.

Glazed or Unglazed

The iron-tempered glass sheet that covers the collector is referred to as glazing.

Glazed solar collectors are more expensive than unglazed and are really only required if you'll be running your pool year round in a cold climate or if you expect that temperatures will dip below freezing while the pool is functional. Glazed collectors are a little more high tech than unglazed and are composed of more expensive materials (copper tubing and iron tempered glass) that make them a more costly choice.

Unglazed collectors use inexpensive, heavy duty, UV resistant, rubber, plastic or PVC and do not necessarily need a glass cover. For summertime pools an unglazed system is more than adequate in almost all cases.

There's also the option of making your own solar pool heater.

For detailed, step-by-step instructions with photos and diagrams, all in one place, click here. Not only does this e-guide include a Solar Swimming Pool Heater Project but more than a dozen eco projects for the do-it-yourselfer including make your own solar panels, build a solar generator, build a chicken coop, even a DIY solar hot tub! Check it out to find out just how easy being green really is.

Hybrid systems

Hybrid swimming pool systems are available that combine your gas or electric system with solar to reduce energy costs. Pool water can be directed to flow through a solar collector and then through a conventional pool heater when you choose.This type of solar swimming pool can be easier to size since the standard system will pick up where the solar system leaves off.

Considerations for Solar Powered Pools

• Space for solar collector. ~ Solar collectors require an area where unrestricted sunshine falls for at least 5 hours per day.
• Cover the pool. ~ Pool covers are the least expensive method of managing pool temperatures.
• Payback in 2 to 6 years ~ Payback time depends on cost of local utilities. In any case, once payback time has been reached the system continues to work for several years at no additional cost to you.
• Consult with local authorities regarding codes, regulations and by-laws at your location. Some states require that the work be done by licensed professionals.
• Pool water can also be cooled by circulating the water through the collector at night when pool temperatures rise too high in the day.
• Pool safety is always a first priority.

When Choosing your Installation Experts

• How much experience do they have installing the type of system you've chosen?
• Do they offer a maintenance service?
• What are their warranty policies?
• Ask for references from past customers.
• Search licensing boards and BBB for any complaints.

Unless you are very skilled at solar installations it's usually best to hire a professional to install the photovoltaic and pump part of your solar swimming pool system. Experts have the tools and skills to perform a job faster and with fewer unforeseen problems than doing it yourself.

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