Solar panels for swimming pools

If you're thinking about using solar panels to heat your swimming pool, here's some advice on the different types available

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Using solar panels to raise the water temperature of swimming pools makes complete sense, especially if you're heating a pool that you mainly use during the summer months. With daylight in greater abundance during this time, using renewable energy can help cut the expensive costs of heating the water. But are solar panels for swimming pools all the same, do they work in a similar way to solar panels for your home and how do you choose which ones to install? We take a dive into the world of solar panels for swimming pools to find out what options exist so you don't have to flounder in the deep end.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOLAR

Installing solar panels for swimming pools involves a similar process to installing them on your home. Placed on a roof or on a purpose-built ground frame, they come in two main versions, with a smaller DIY option for temporary above-ground pools.

'As well as solar photovoltaic (PV), there is also traditional solar thermal, which heats water through black piping in a large panel arrangement,' says Andy Carr, MD of swimming pool company Guncast. 'Both can benefit a pool, either for the heating of the water or for offsetting electrical loading.' Either way, the system you choose will depend on a number of different variables and whether you are looking to integrate it with the rest of your home's energy needs or as a standalone solution.

PV FOR POOLS