3. Things to Remember
THINGS TO REMEMBER - 3
NO TWO INSTALLATIONS ARE EXACTLY ALIKE BUT
THERE ARE SOME GENERAL BITS OF TECHNICAL
INFORMATION THAT YOU WILL FIND HELPFUL IN
THE FIELD.
ROOF ORIENTATION - Ideally, panels should be
located on a south facing or flat roof or on an
elevated ground mounted rack facing south. The next
best orientation is west and finally east. Panels should
never be installed facing north in the Northern
hemisphere.
PANEL CONFIGURATIONS - There are many ways to
configure a solar array. The most common and
preferred is in a continuous row. The recommended
limit to the number of panels that can be installed this
way to achieve even flow throughout the array is (12)
4'x7.5' panels, (10) 4'x10.5panels , or (8) 4'x12.5' panels.
This maximum guideline can be exceeded if there is a
high flow or substantial back pressure on the system
which will force adequate flow through every panel.
When you have more than the maximum, you should
either use the double row layout or the single row split
feed layout. Of course, the double row can also be used
for smaller installations when space is a problem. (Fig.
10.2, page 10).
If you have to split up an array due to a skylight or
change in roof level or direction, the layout will be
similar to single row split feed layout.
PUMP HORSEPOWER - The horsepower of your
swimming pool filtration pump must be adequate to
supply the solar system with enough water to provide
the recommended flow rate necessary for the panels
being installed. The recommended rates are:
Generally, a 1-horsepower pump is sufficient for a
standard pool solar system unless there is an unusually
long pipe run, a high roof or a large number of
panels. If you are not sure what your pump flow rate is,
consult your Swim Joy representative for the
pump’s flow characteristics.
PLUMBING - It is important that you use the proper
size PVC pipe for the size of the solar array. Under
sizing the pipe will produce too much restriction to the
water flow and unnecessarily reduce the flow rate to
the panels. Use the following as a guide:
Plumbing runs should be as short as possible and the
“hot return” pipe should have the shortest run to
reduce the potential heat loss in the pipe. Horizontal
pipes should be supported with a pipe clamp at least
every 4 feet to prevent sagging. The pipe clamp used
on pipe runs across a roof should be ½” larger than the
pipe diameter to allow for expansion and contraction,
unless you are using our glass-reinforced PP pipe
clamps (see page 8) that expand and contract with the
pipe. Pipe clamps should be used on vertical or
horizontal runs on the side of a building and should be
the same size as the pipe diameter to prevent
movement.
INSTALLATION MANUAL - SWIM JOY SOLAR POOL HEATER
