How to Choose a Solar Pool Pump?

If you are switching to renewable energy for your pool pump, the first thing you need to do is choose a quality solar pool pump. To do this, here are some key things to keep in mind:

The most important thing one needs to do is to calculate the actual volume of the pool before actually buying a solar pool pump. This step is critical in determining which pump is best for your pool. So in order to calculate the pool's capacity you can do:

- First, you have to calculate the average depth of your pool in feet. So add the deepest and shallowest measurements of the pool and divide the result by two. The answer you will get is the average depth of the pool.

- So, to calculate the volume in gallons of a circular pool, you must use the following formula: [diameter in feet] X [diameter in feet] X [average depth in feet] X 5.9 = gallons is the volume of the unit.

- However, to calculate the gallon volume for a rectangular or square pool, you must use the following formula: [length in feet] X [width in feet] X [average depth in feet] X 7.5 = volume per gallon.

- Finally, to calculate the gallon volume for an oval pool, you must use the following formula: [length in feet] X [width in feet] X [average depth in feet] X 6.7 = gallons is the volume of the unit.

Now, what is the optimal traffic? When shopping for a solar pool pump, you may notice different maximum flow rates measured in gallons per minute (pumped) or GPM.

Depending on the volume of the pool and the number of full water cycles the pool pump makes each day, the pool pump will require a different GPM to match the potential pump capacity. So, to calculate the GPM or optimal flow rate for a pool, follow this formula:

- [Pool Volume] X [Number of Turnovers/Day Required, usually 1 or 2] = Total Gallons/Day.

- [Gross GPM] ÷ [60 Min/Hr] = Gross Gallons per Minute (GPM).

- [Total Gallons/Day] ÷ [Average Hours of Sunshine Per Day Solar Panel Receives] = Total Gallons/Hour.

So you can use this formula to get the minimum GPM you need. Now, it's time to calculate and find the optimal GPM required, we need to average the number obtained above with the maximum GPM of the solar water pump capacity.

The largest pumps available on the market usually display their maximum GPM, which is also largely dependent on the size and length of tubing used in the pump filter. Generally speaking, 1.5' pipes have a maximum flow of 42 GPM and 2' pipes have an average flow of 73 GPM.

To calculate the optimal flow rate for your pool, you must add the minimum and maximum GPM flows and divide the answer by two.

Let's say your swimming pool has a total capacity of 16,000 gallons and needs to be fully reclaimed once a day; for a solar panel that receives 10 hours of direct sunlight per day, the minimum flow you need is about 27 GPM.

If you have chosen a pump and piping that uses a maximum flow of approximately 60 GPM, you must add 27 and 60 GPM for 87 GPM and divide the answer by two to get (87/2= 43.5 GPM). Therefore, the optimal flow rate determined by the pool will be 43.5 GPM.

Another important calculation you don't have to forget is determining the pool's total feet of head or drag.

This calculation helps in deciding to purchase the best solar pump for your swimming pool requirements, as you will understand the type of horsepower it needs and other requirements. So let's take a quick look at how the following calculations are performed:

- [Pressure reading or PSI in canister] X 2.31 – [Note answer].

- [Vacuum Straw Reading or PSI] X 1.13 – 9-[Note Answer].

- Add the two answers to determine the resistance foot for the pool.

Let's be honest, pool pump motors with brushes require a lot of ongoing maintenance, which often results in costs that offset the money you save by switching to a solar pool pump. Therefore, it is wise to purchase a brushless model to avoid all the hassle that the brush may ring.

Many models on the market provide you with a complete solar pool pump kit that you can install after purchase, including solar panels.

However, there are many other products that do not come with a solar panel, leaving us in the dilemma of choosing between the best options to choose a better solar panel for your pool pump.

While searching for the best options available on the market may seem intimidating at first, it's really not that complicated. Here are four things you need to keep in mind before buying solar panels:

Monocrystalline Silicon Technology: They are the most advanced solar cells on the market and work very well even in low light conditions. Polysilicon is a cheaper alternative, and using it in a pool pump is considered an absolutely terrible idea.

Wattage: After listing a few options that you think are suitable, you need to find the wattage of the pump, then the average wattage output of the solar panels.

For example, if the solar panels draw 165W, you need 4 of them to safely power the pool pump (4 X 165W = 660W).

Solar Combination: In detail, when setting up a solar pool pump, you can either connect the solar panel directly to the pump or to a battery that will be connected to the pump. This will store the electricity generated during the day, which you can easily use to run the water pump overnight. the

Positioning of Solar Panels: This is basically the most important step. You must do your best to determine where the solar panel will be in direct and full sunlight.

It is recommended to place them facing south and at a 45-degree angle, making sure that no trees, telephone wires, shrubs, etc. will cast shadows on your solar panels.

In short, you must ensure that your solar panels are exposed to maximum sunlight during the day without any disturbance. Also, remember to place the solar panel close to the water pump for better performance.

It goes without saying that budget is an important aspect of buying a solar water pump. Despite the idea of it and the benefits and convenience it provides, using a renewable energy source like solar (check the pros and cons of using solar) is still a bit expensive compared to how you use your daily electricity.

To give a rough sketch of the scenario, a complete solar pool pump including solar panels will likely cost you around $3,000 to $5,000.

However, they are known to be durable and last nearly 10-15 years (or more!) without requiring anything other than annual maintenance.

The above introduces the skills of choosing a solar swimming pool pump. If you want to buy a solar swimming pool pump, please contact us.

MAYGO is a professional custom swimming pool pump manufacturer. At present, we have provided swimming pool solutions for thousands of customers in North America, South America, Europe, Australia, and so on. We have a team of engineers and mold making with rich experience in electromechanical and CFD hydraulic design. They are fully committed to research and development. MAYGO has obtained a number of patents, as well as CE, SAA, ETL, CCC, CANS certifications.