Solar Panels for Pools: What Reno NV Homeowners Should Know

 In Reno, one of the ten sunniest cities in America, a swimming pool is the norm. Have a swimming pool, however, means larger power bills. Getting solar for your pool will save you thousands.

Solar Panels for Your Nevada Pool

In a 2012 study by Opower, electricity researchers found that homes with pools use 49 percent more electricity.  A pump that uses 2,500 KWh per year times Nevada’s current rate of 14 cents per kWh ends up costing $350 per year to run. 

This, in addition to the fact that most homes with pools are 20 percent bigger, equates to a massive power bill. This situation, however, has a remedy. And it comes in the form of solar panels for your Reno home. 

If you have a large power bill, cutting your monthly costs could make all the difference over a decade’s duration of time. One way to offset your power bill is by getting a system that will cover the costs of running your swimming pool.

This could mean a potential savings of $15,000 over the next 25 years. If your solar array lasts longer than its warranty, which most do, then you will see even more savings.   

Heating Your Swimming Pool with Solar

If you prefer warm water over freezing water, getting a solar pool heating system is the perfect fix. These heating systems are separate from solar panels, and therefore require an entirely different set of engineering mechanisms. 

Solar Panels for Heating Your Pool

If you recently installed a heated pool, getting solar panels will offset your costs. Once your traditional pool water heater has died, you can then replace it with a solar-based water heater. If, on the other hand, you don’t have a heated pool but would like one, it will be cheaper for you to get a solar pool heater.

This is because on average 14′ x 28′ pool takes about 1,000 kWh of power per month to heat. This equates to over $100 per month to heat your pool.   

Solar Heating System

A solar heating system uses solar collectors to move the water from the pool and back. Solar collectors heat up water through tubes positioned where the sun can best heat them. As you can see, this is a bit different than the mechanism of heating up the pool with panels.

Solar Heating and Solar Panels: Should You Get Both?

If you already have a solar heating system, your solar panel production may not be as high. This is because both the panels and the solar collectors need optimal sun exposure.  

An average solar panel is about 3 ft by 4 ft. Go Solar Group uses panels that are 3 ft by 5 ft. If you don’t have enough room for the system size you need your panels will not offset your energy needs as well.  

Although your savings won’t be as high, you would still be saving quite a bit of money over the life of your system. Most residential solar systems guarantee 90 percent power production for 25 years. Your potential savings makes it worth getting a quote or two to see if getting solar panels is a good option for your home. 

Start Small Now so You can Save Big Later

Getting solar is an investment that pays you back. It is, however, an investment. For some reaching their energy independence goals is only possible by installing solar in increments.

Getting a couple of panels to offset the costs of your pool is a great way to start. Go Solar Group can put together a system meant to offset your pool costs.  You can then upgrade your system with more panels when you are ready.