Re: Solar panels
 

We looked at solar water heating when we built our house but decided against it on the basis of the capital cost vs savings.

We run a 200 litre electric water heater for 3 hours a night on the night tariff on a time switch and end up paying just 70 euros/year for our hot water. Left to its own devices 24/7 on the standard tariff it would cost 4 times that amount, which I agree is pretty expensive.

Re: Solar panels
 

No, as I understand it these were stopped in favour of 'buy-back'.

Re: Solar panels
 

Grants are available for qualifying installations of up to 40% this varies depending on region, IE a house with no electric in the campo which takes the decision to go Solar electric would almost certainly qualify,if you put a Solar water heater on your house to replace existing fossil fueled system you may qualify. Solar Farm installations do not qualify for grants. ( Heatpump, Geothermal and airsource used for hotwater or CH may qualify but not for heating the pool) the snag is to know how and when. It is very much about allocated amounts, timing of application, and making sure you follow it through personally.
In Valencia, the grant system is run by an agency called AVEN, the window for this year to submit application opens in March (I think) for about 6 weeks, if your application is not submitted in this time then you will lose it. Results are not guaranteed and seem dependent on how you approach the system rather than strict allocation, % amount received depends total fund allocated for grants and successful applications . On new builds the promoter has usually claimed the grant and pocketed the money before you even know it has happened.
There is a specialist in Elche, who will do all the documentation, submit and follow through to conclusion.

Re: Solar panels
 

Google DIY solar heating systems and you will be overwhelmed with info on how to make them.

Jim

Re: Solar panels
 

The most effective and economical system to heat a swimming pool is installing a heatpump.
Heatpumps are up to 500% efficient wheras a boiler or electric element type heater at maximum efficiency could only attain 100% efficiency Watts consumed = watts output.
A heatpump can consume 2kW but provide up to 10kW of heat energy.

Main consideration is to install a good cover and make sure it is used whenever the pool is not in use to retain heat.
Once the pool is at the required temperature it will only loose 1 or 2°C overnight which is soon made up again.
Cost to run a heatpump is around 1~3 Euros/day once up to temperature, the ideal is to put the unit on when the temperature starts to drop in September and it will automatically maintain it.

RegardsDave

Re: Solar panels
 

We have 'solar' panels to heat our pool. That is, big (purpose built) black sheets in which the sun heats the water. These have proved to heat the pool by as much as 7 celcius. The system is fully automated - comes on when the difference between pool temp and panels is greater than x and goes off when the difference gets to y - it's most efficient.

When we looked into this we were told that, taking everything into consideration, this was more cost effective than a heat pump.



I also have a summer cover which again raises the temp when the pool is not in use (or even overnight if I can be bothered), stops loss of chlorine and also stops water evaporation. For longer spells, we have a much heavier winter cover.

Re: Solar panels
 

HI Most effective and economical are not compatible in this context,

a Heatpump for a 8x4 x1.5m pool will cost about 3500€ running cost would be about 300€ PA, maybe more, depends on how hard you try and what Tariff you use, and it can be more effective if the sun dont shine!!

Solar Black panel system about 4500€, running cost per annum minimal, but I would guess at 75€ being excessive,

500%,, optimistic, best I have ever seen declared is 4.9 which is probably under lab test conditions, I would say about 300% is more a realistic median taking into account operating conditions FWT etc,

Re: Solar panels
 

Blimey. Is that black panel a proper vacuum tube jobbie?I wasn't thinking of a black panel, but a home made parabolic trough collector, which I am hoping will cost me a lot less, and have an almost zero running cost. We must pay about 100 a month for power, and even if that were all hot water, the installation you describe would take 5 years at least to pay back

Re: Solar panels
 

were are you getting these prices from we have solar pannels wind generator etc and use nothing else these are not home made cost us a fraction of the cost for the whole system 2500 some one is ripping poeple off some where

Re: Solar panels
 

No, its a sheet of plastic with millions (well many anyway) of microtubes running from top to bottom. As water runs through them, they get heated by the sun. So, cold water in the top, hot water out the bottom and then pumped into pool. etc. etc. That's why a proper panel like this will be many times more effective than garden hose painted black.

But then you get what you pay for I guess...

Re: Solar panels
 

That explains the price, but it seems to me that a parabolic trough system will do as well, if not better, and would be one hell of a lot cheaper.

Unless I'm missing something?

Re: Solar panels
 

A heatpump will provide a heated pool for most of the year 10~11 months and at a good temperature 27~30°C+ if you want it - a cover is essential.

A heatpump will occupy a small space, in comparison Solar would need 50% of the pool size in sq.m. 25m2 for a 10 x 5 pool most people don't seem to want that size of system in their garden.
Although once installed they are low cost to run but not as reliable a source of heat as a heatpump.

The DIY Solar systems are potentially dangerous and could result in injury if not installed according to regulations - always consult an expert if you are unsure and ensure they know local regulations for any system being installed.

Regards, Dave

Re: Solar panels
 

I was looking at the price quoted above at some 4.5 K.

Re: Solar panels
 

Hmmm. I'm prepared to make a small bet as to the profession of this gentleman.

Building a small wall is potentially dangerous too. Obviously people undertaking such work should have their wits about them, and research the subject thoroughly. However, if we left everything to the experts, the rest of us would seldom expand our abilities and knowledge base.

Re: Solar panels
 

No, he is a salt pool man. ;-) ;-)