Can I run my heat pump using PV(Photovoltaic)panels

 

PV(Photovoltaic) panels to heat my pool?

PV(Photovoltaic) panels and heat pump to heat pool?

Can you use PV(Photovoltaic) panels to run my heat pump to heat my pool?

We get these questions often... Can I run my heat pump using PV panels?

The short answer is not really.. We have a great example here where we have 34kw of PV panels, that struggles to run the 60sqm pool heat pump. 

It is not efficient to run a heat pump and this process takes time, to get the water temperature up from the ambient base temp, to epic swimming temperatures.

A heat pump for heating water for your pool needs to draw large constant energy. Unlike your house (Air) heat pumps, that require low energy. A pool heat pump has to do very big heating lifts, that take days to achieve the same level as pool solar systems. But the biggest difference is on your extended seasons, solar is the key driver, that is able to do big 8-10 degree lifts, given available sun and heat.  

The ratio to heat air vs water is 1:3500. It is incredibly hard to heat water. As you know when you boil the jug at home, it consumes most of the energy in the house hold! Now multiple this by the size of your swimming pool and ask yourself, is this the best way to heat water.

Any given day, do the simple exercise. Walk outside and fell how hot your vehicle roof is. Even get a garden hose and fill it with water and leave it in the sun for 2-3 minutes and then run the hose.... The water will be nice and warm, if not hot! 

The simple equation for heating water is to, send water onto your roof and let the sun heat the pool water and simply send it back to the pool.

Most roof areas on any given day(Northern and western aspects in particular) will be much warmer than your pool water. By cycling the water through out the roof area means not only are you saving money on buying expensive appliances, but your running costs to heat your pool will be low. 

PV panels cost to install is high and the replacement cost of the heat pump over time, becomes a huge expense. 

A heat pump is a very simple appliance to install vs solar which is time consuming and difficult. 

Remember you will need to replace your heating appliance at least every 6.5 years average. Multiple this cost by $10k average.. This exercise becomes very costly. (Not to mention the cost to run your heat pump)

Call us or email on justin@sunbather.co.nz or call us on 02102332600