A black surface exposed to the sun transforms the suns rays into heat equivalent to about 1000 watts per square meter (see Basic Theory for detailed information).

Simply apply this principle to heat the water of a swimming pool. In order to do this, we expose to direct sunlight the black plastic panels, installed outdoors, in which the swimming pool water is running. The black surface catches the solar energy and transforms it into heat which is transferred (passed on) to the swimming pool water. Therefore the swimming pool is self-heated.

The cold water from the swimming pool is pumped towards the panels, heated and then runs back to the swimming pool. This ongoing cycle brings the water to the desired temperature. The water runs through the panels using the filter water pump.

General setup

As for the solar panels, we suggest using a ribbed corrogated plastic black sheet called Coroplast. This Coroplast is a chemically inert weather-resistant material. It is abrasion and UV resistant and also lightweight. This material is much used, among other things, in the artistic industries for publicity panels. It is readily available at your local hardware dealer in thicknesses ranging from 4mm, to 6mm and 10mm.

Piping plan

Each panel that you build is 4 feet(122cm) by 8 feet(244cm) with a 32 square foot (or 3 square meter) surface. It has 3500 watts (11,943 btu/h) of heating power.

Your solar water heater will be made of several of these panels jointed together to have greater heating power in order to heat your pool as fast as possible.

The DVD will explain to you how to build your own panels so that they are efficient, weather resistant and ready to use. Simply follow the instructions included in the DVD video.