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There’s much more to solar setups than just laying out the panel and calling it done. Depending on the location and orientation of the installation, there are many ways you can go about it. For instance, there are additional gadgets that can bring in a noticeably larger percentage of power than if you were to install your solar power system without them. Today, the experts at Solar Bear Houston will tell you about all the wonderful advantages of solar trackers.

What Is a Solar Tracker?

A solar tracker acts as a base for your solar panel to sit on which has the ability to direct and position the panel to be always facing the sun. With the sun rising and setting in completely opposite directions, you can see why solar trackers are a very nifty tool. You’ll also be surprised to find out that solar trackers come in a great range of styles and varieties to help you reach full efficiency for your solar needs.

Single-Axis vs Dual-Axis

When it comes to the orientation in which the panel swivels, there are two different kinds of solar trackers that offer this function. The simpler option is the single-axis tracker, which points back and forth from one line of reference. It is typically placed so that it can face the east and west in order to catch UV rays during both sunrise and sunset. Dual-axis trackers, on the other hand, have two opposing swivel points so that they can face any direction. That way, the solar panel can directly face the sun, no matter its location in the sky.

Active, Passive, and Manual Setups for Solar Trackers

As far as how the tracker moves, there are three separate ways

to orient the solar panel. Each has its pros and cons, so it’s entirely up to you on which kind you would rather use.

The three types of solar trackers include:

• Active trackers, which are hooked up to a power source in order to precisely and automatically point in the direction of the sun. This is the most commonly-used style.
• Passive trackers, which are designed to follow the heat from the sun without the need for an additional power source. While this may seem ideal, passive trackers can take a long time to respond, which causes inaccuracies.
• Manual trackers, which require you to position the panel yourself at varying times of the day. Since many people aren’t always home at every hour of the day, this style can seem impractical.

Are Solar Trackers Worth It?

Without a tracker, your solar panel is only getting half of the UV rays that it could be getting because it’s only capturing the sun for half of the day. Solar panels with trackers see an increase of 25%-40% more generated power each day, which can add up to quite a lot! Needless to say, that solar trackers definitely give you your money’s worth.

Contact Solar Bear Houston Today!

Not sure which kind of solar tracker to get for your solar panels? Reach out to the friendly Solar Bear Houston team and we’ll evaluate your situation to give you a personalized recommendation. Call (727) 471-7442 today!

Now that fall is here, you might be wondering how to heat your pool so you can use it, even on the chilliest of Central Florida nights. Have you thought about a solar pool heater?

By installing a solar pool heater, you can greatly reduce your swimming pool heating costs. Solar pool heaters are cost-competitive with gas and heat pump pool heaters, and they offer exceptionally low operating costs.

Intrigued? Our team at Solar Bear Orlando discusses why solar pool heating is one of the best ways to take advantage of solar energy this fall!

How Solar Pool Heaters Work

Most solar pool heating systems will include the following components:

• Solar collector: The device through which pool water is circulated to be heated by solar rays.
• Filter: This device removes debris before water is pumped through the solar collector.
• Pump: This circulates water through the filter and collector then back to the pool.
• Flow control valve: This is a device that diverts pool water through the solar collector.

In a solar water heater, pool water is pumped through the filter and then through the solar collector, where it is heated before being returned to the pool. In hot climates like Florida, the collector can also be used to cool the pool during peak summer months by circulating water through the collectors at night.

The type of solar heater that you will need depends on the climate and how you intend to use the collector. Since Florida rarely freezes, you will likely need an unglazed collector system. These collectors don’t include a glass covering, also called glazing. These kinds of collectors are usually made from heavy-duty rubber or plastic that has been treated with an ultraviolet light inhibitor to extend the life of the solar panels.

The best part of installing a solar pool heater is that you can set the temperature of your pool on your automatic controller, and the sun will do the rest. The auto control senses when there is enough solar energy to heat the pool. The sun’s rays will heat the water as it flows through each panel. The heated water will flow back into your pool, and the cycle will continue until your desired temperature is reached. Nice!

How to Choose a Solar Pool Heater & Sizing

A solar pool heating system can cost between $2,500 and $4,000 to install. The payback period is between 1 and 7 years, depending on local fuel costs and available solar resources.

Before you install a solar pool heating system at your home, you should:

• Evaluate your area’s solar resources
• Determine the correct system size
• Determine the correct orientation and tilt of the solar collector
• Determine the efficiency of the system
• Compare system costs
• Investigate local codes and regulations

Sizing a solar pool heating system involves many factors, including:

• Pool size
• Length of the swimming season
• Average regional temperature
• Desired water temperature
• Use of a pool cover
• And more

Generally, the surface area of your solar collector should be equal to 50-100% of the surface area of your pool. For example, a Florida pool that is 15-by-30-foot will require a collector that is equal to 100% of the pool’s square footage to accommodate year-round usage. This equals 450 sq-ft of solar collectors. You will also want to get a pool pump that is properly sized for your solar-powered system. It will need to have enough power to move the pool’s water effectively through the collectors and back into the pool once it has been heated.

Related Reading > 7 Common Solar Buying Mistakes to Avoid

Enjoy Your Pool Year-Round

Though the temperature is quite mild here in Central Florida during the fall months, if you want to take a dip in the pool, you might find that the water is too chilly! But with a solar pool heater, you can enjoy your pool year-round, even during those chilly Florida nights.

Ready to install a solar heater for your pool? Call Solar Bear Orlando to get started today; (727) 471-7442!

Ready to break up with Florida Power and Light (FPL)? Installing a solar system could be the answer you’ve been waiting for. Solar Bear of Tampa knows that it’s them, it’s definitely not you. Read on to learn what factors current FPL customers should consider when deciding to go solar.

If you are tired of relying on the utility giant, installing solar panels will indeed allow you to use less FPL electricity. But before you make that awkward breakup call, first consider the cost of a solar system. Several variables go into a system diagnostic – monthly electricity usage, shading or other obstacles, your roof direction, and the location of your home, just to name a few. Our team offers a complimentary energy audit that assesses each home and its electrical needs. There are also two types of systems to choose from – grid-tied and off-grid systems. The latter involves no electrical grid assistance and would require the homeowner to purchase a solar battery to store any excess energy.

With a grid-tied system, FPL offers a full retail net metering program for those that add solar to their home. You must apply for this program but once approved, FPL will install a bi-directional meter at your home. This meter will track the electricity sent and taken from the grid. Any excess electricity will be sold to FPL’s grid and either deducted from your monthly bill or credited toward a future bill. With FPL’s full retail net metering program, every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar energy produced is worth the same amount that a utility company charges for electricity. For example, if FPL charges $0.05 per kWh for electricity, then every kWh of solar energy produced is also $0.05.

There are two other areas to note when considering solar as an FPL customer. Solar panels will not be able to cover the entire electric bill so yes, you will still have an FPL memento to carry. It is in the form of a $25 minimum bill requirement that cannot be offset, no matter how much solar energy was produced. That one might sting but there’s a silver lining with the annual true-up held every January. FPL’s net metering program examines and adjusts for differences between estimated and actual solar consumption and production. If you have excess net metering credits at the time of the true-up, FPL will pay you roughly the average annual cost of generation per kWh before resetting the credit bank.

FPL may serve half of Florida’s residents but don’t be afraid to be your own light! If you are interested in learning more about solar energy for your home, speak with our team of experts at Solar Bear of Tampa. Call us at (727) 741-7442 or schedule your free estimate online today!

The impending fall season may have you questioning just how far a solar system setup can realistically go. Is it possible for a house to run wholly on solar energy? Solar Bear of Tampa takes a look at what it takes to meet a house’s entire energy needs.

If you can provide for even half of your home’s electrical needs using solar energy, you are already making a significant economic and ecological impact. This amount reduces greenhouse emissions while also earning you financial incentives and free electricity through net metering.

But is it possible to rely solely on solar energy for your home? It’s definitely doable, though first, you will need to consider the following factors:

• How much energy you use
• Whether your home has space for a solar setup
• Specific weather patterns or shading obstacles
• And, whether to be on or off the grid system.

Electrical usage is the most critical variable that can affect your decision. During an energy audit consultation, installers will examine recent electricity bills, weather and climate patterns in your area, and your family’s energy needs. Here in Florida, a solar system will produce more electricity in the summer than in the winter, so it’s important to gather data to determine the best system fit.

A traditional roof-mounted solar system must be installed in a bright, sunny area that isn’t affected by trees or shading. If that is impossible, but you have available ground space, you may want to consider a ground-mounted solar system. This type of setup can be positioned in an ideal direction and can tilt for optimal solar production.

Both on and off-grid systems can help you achieve a fully solar-powered home. The difference between the two systems is where any excess solar will be stored and how electricity is accessed should you lose power. With an on-grid or grid-tied system, any surplus electricity produced is not stored but rather sent to the power grid in exchange for utility credits towards your bills. This process is called net metering. Off-grid systems use battery storage (that must be bought separately) to store excess energy. This option is totally energy independent, but users must be conscious of their electrical usage, because there is no way to draw extra electricity from the grid.

If you want to learn more about the most efficient solar panel system for your needs, schedule a free estimate with Solar Bear of Tampa. With the help of our professional team, making these improvements could be easier than you think. Call us at (727) 741-7442 today!