Solar Electric Power For Dummies

[spuds]

Im going to do a thread about solar electric power generation.Let me tell you where Im coming from.

Im NOT an expert,Im a hobbyist.So if you are a professional in the field this isnt something that will mean much to you,however I would like to hear from you if you want to contribute.

If you are a hobbiest like me please chime in.

If you know ZERO about the subject please chime in.There are no stupid questions and being a schmuck myself Im not about to ridicule anybody,or throw around my incredible massive knowledge on the subject,because I dont have any for one!

Just want to have fun,and maybe YOU might want to play with it a little bit,it isnt rocket science for sure.This is hobbyist level,not grid tying your suburban home to the grid with your solar,I can only tell you what Ive read,not what Ive done at that level,and it would be better just to give you links on that topic once we get the basics down.

First topic will be about the panels....types,costs,and benefits of the major kinds,that sort of thing.

..........

[Rita]

I was reading up a bit online last year while trying to figure out a way to heat my kids pool for free I found several places they had instructions but the Layout was MUCH larger than my pool

[Axeman]

Rita, a solar blanket type pool cover is one of the easiest ways to heat a pool.
Other than the investment in the cover it costs you nothing for the heat.
Most of these covers are nothing more than glorified Bubble Wrap!
If you could find the wrap large enough to cover your pool, your in business!
Place the wrap directly on the surface of the water.
Solar heat is trapped in the air pockets (bubbles) of the wrap and transfered to the water.
Circulate the water every few hours for a few minutes then leave stand to accumulate more heat.
Repeat the process until the desired water temperature is reached.

[Rita]

That was the problem axe ... My pool hardly ever sees the sun as I have WAY to much shade in the summer ... thats why I was trying to figure out a way to circulate the water through some type of heater .. then I would be able to heat it for free .. I have seen some that are plausible .. But none that are quite as small as I would like ..

[Axeman]

Do you have a pump & filter system on the pool?

If so, tap into the return line and add a couple of "T"s. From this, add a shutoff valve (for controlling when you want the solar heat) then a gardenhose fitting.
You can then connect a garden hose which you will run to a 4' X 8' X 6inch deep box with a plexiglass top.
Inside the box, you run 1/2" or 3/4" copper tubing back and forth as close as you can get the strands with elbows. Each end of the tubing also has garden hose fittings attached OUTSIDE the box.
Paint the entire inside of the box and tubing flat black.
Run the returning garden hose back to a second "T" (with fitting)in your return line.
As the pool pump is circulating the water, the box will heat the water and return the warm water back to the pool during the pools normal circulating cycle.
(Of course you want the box in full sun)
Some pholks have even mounted the box on a post with a swivel so they could "track" the sun throughout the day.
This is not very expensive, works great and it's a great DIY project.

[Rita]

Yep I seen that same thing online .. just cant afford the copper it does sound like the easiest of the projects I have seen tho ..
I usually end up running a hose to my hot water and filling it up I know expensive but that first swim of the year for the kids is a good break into summer ..
I will ask the ole man if he has any way to score on the copper tubing .. Never thought about that

[Wrennie]

Mother Earth News has articles on solar powered stuff, the homemade kind. Theres a place to look.

[mogarden]

I don't know how big the pool is, but if you built a plastic greenhouse over it, it would stay warmer. Of course, there's the old shade problem....

[notherdigger]

You might consider collecting old car radiators and fit them to the hose set-up and there is your copper. Sometimes they can be had for little or nothing if you can get away from the recyclers. Just a thought.

[Pharmer Phil]

One thing I can attest to and that is AXE KNOWS Pools

ND, what else can ya do with car radiators?? I've seen some used in alcohol erm, ETHANOL production

[Axeman]

Phil knows a bit about "Ethanol" production as I can attest to
But seriously, the radiators are a great alternative to the copper and will work equally as well.

[notherdigger]

I think I need to research some more and collect some myself.