Sizing a Hot Sun Solar Pool Heater
San Diego
The above chart shows expected daily peak pool temperature for the San Diego California region. Note the top red line shows what will happen with 75% of pool surface area in solar collector area given our standard conditions. This chart is not affected by pool depth. Shallower pools will vary in temperature over 24 hours more than a deeper pool but the overall average pool temperature will still be held roughly the same amount over the blue line or purple line
Performance charts are based on computer simulation using the no longer available Enerpool Pro simulation program with inputs learned through high level monitoring. Verified with hundreds of real pools situations with remarkable accuracy since 2003.
Standard conditions for published charts include overall 25% pool shading, southwest to south facing roof, no major direct wind exposure to the pool or roof especially winds coming in off the ocean, normal diffuse light conditions, not nestled in a lush dark canyon, cover use 12 hours per night. Normal typical reasonably ideal conditions are the baseline. We can adjust the curves for higher or lower square footages. The charts represent the upper limit of what we consider full sizing to achieve what our customers consider satisfying results
We have performance charts for other regions some of which are published below
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
The above chart is based on weather data from LAX airport. If you are more inland you will see higher temperatures in summer and colder in winter but overall the length of the season will be roughly the same. Note than in LA a standard sizing achieves a 15 degree bump in pool temperature plus you can get another 5 degrees using a cover. Most of our customers don't want to use a cover and as you can see its possible to get a pretty good season out of a solar heated pool without a cover.
Sacramento and San Francisco
In Hawaii (click for more) the standard sizing formula is too generous . We can go to the lower end of the full sizing range as depicted below.
Hawaii
Solar pool heating is popular in Canada. We are particularly active in Vancouver BC and we have many projects all over British Columbia