March 2001

I'm in search of a solar pool pump (no heat element) for a home
in Laredo, Texas.  I found many companies who offer a solar pool
heat pump, not a simple pool pump. Do you know of any company
providing such an item or is the solar pool heat pump what I
need?
- Nicole

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Hi Nicole,

We occasionally hear from folks who are concerned with the expense
of electricity to run their pool pump, and wish to use solar power to run
it.

I think that this may be what is on your mind.

If so, then I am afraid that my answer will be disappointing. Electricity
produced from solar electric (Photovoltaic) panels is still (in 2001)
somewhat more expensive than electricity you can buy from the electric
company, by a factor of 1.5 to 2.

If you are wishing to save money, I would recommend investigating just
how little you can run the pump and still achieve the desired results, and
of course, making sure that everything in the system is operating properly.
Also, that the pump motor is properly sized for your system...an oversized
pump can waste energy.

It is technically quite feasible to power your pool pump with solar energy,
though. The system would consist of a properly sized photovoltaic (solar
electric panel) array to generate the electricity, an inverter to convert it
to AC, possibly some batteries to allow the pump to run through cloudy
days. Of course, it would need to be properly sized to your pumping needs
to avoid undue cost.