Category: Uncategorized

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!

When people look into solar panel installation for the first time, one of the most frequent questions is about property taxes. It comes as no surprise that having solar panels can greatly increase the value of any home, but does that also mean you’ll be seeing similar inflation when it comes to taxes? Solar Bear Dallas breaks down everything there is to know about solar panel incentives in Texas.

How Solar Panels Increase a Property’s Value

Because Texas is home to the highest energy users in the country, home buyers will jump at the chance to own a house that comes with solar panels pre-installed. Why? For immediate savings on their electric bill, of course. This phenomenon has led to a drastic increase in property value for any building equipped with solar panels with up to three dollars more per wattage with a total of over $20,000 altogether. For these reasons, solar-powered homes tend to sell much faster than houses without them. But the big question is how solar panels affect property taxes, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the answer.

The Texas Property Tax Code Explained

Thanks to the Texas Property Tax Code, you can get a full exemption on the property value that solar panels add to your home. This means that whenever your home’s value is evaluated for tax calculations, the cost of your solar panels will not be included, which can lead to a great deal of savings over time. If your solar panel installation increases your property value from $210,000 to $235,000, your taxes will only account for the $210,000, almost as if you don’t have solar in the first place. This is just one of the many ways that Texas officials are combatting the overall cost of the state’s high energy usage.

Additional Solar Incentives in Texas

The Texas Property Tax Code isn’t the only incentive for solar panel owners in Texas. As the benefits of solar panels become increasingly recognized, those with the power to do so will do what they can to entice the average homeowner to get them installed in hopes of them becoming more standardized for a greener climate.

Federal Solar Tax Credit

Until December 2022, you can get 26% of your solar panel installation cost deducted from the final price. Depending on the specifics of your particular installation, you could be seeing an average savings of around four thousand dollars! After December 2022 (and until December 2023), this percentage will decrease to 22%, so it’s better to get it done sooner than later.

Local Utility Company Solar Rebates

Depending on who you go through, some companies will offer rebates on the total cost of your solar panels. Each company is different, so it pays to seek out an expert’s help in finding you the best deals in your area.

Let Solar Bear Dallas Upgrade Your Home with Solar!

If you want to maximize your solar panel savings but are overwhelmed at all of the different programs and possibilities, let Solar Bear Dallas lend you a helping hand! We can equip your property with the best solar setup for you and we’ll make sure that you get all of the incentives that you deserve for playing your part in a greener environment. Call us today at (727) 471-7442 for a free estimate!