PV powered On Demand Water Heater ????

BobM
BobM Registered Users Posts: 1
Kicking around the idea of using some spare PV panels I have to power a small on-demand water heater to heat my pool. Doing a quick internet search earlier PV powered hot water is considered a bad idea (due to cost I think). However, I don't need hot water all of the time since it's for a pool and I don't need to reach the typical 120 degrees, shooting for about 80-85. 
I currently have 600w of PV, a xantrax power hub and charge controller. I just don't know if 600w will cut the mustard for even the smallest heater. 
The goal would be to increase the water temp by 10-15 degrees over 7-10 days. 
Here is the thread I found earlier,
https://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/13188/i-want-to-run-my-water-heater-on-solar-power-newbie

So what does everyone think?

Thanks for all of your help!

-Bob

Comments

  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A pool cover will heat more than 600w would
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

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  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A couple of numbers needed to figure this out.  First the easy one; energy reqired to raise water temp by say 10°.  Water weighs ~ 62lb/cu.ft.  so length x width x depth x 62 x 10° = btu required, ÷ 7days ÷ sun hrs = btu/hr. to raise temp.  600w is 600x3.4=~2000btu.

    Eg. 10x20x5' pool =1000cu.ft. @62# = 62,000# x 10° = 620,000btu.  10 days x 4 full sun hrs x 2000btu = 80,000btu, enough for only 1° or so.

    The second number is tougher; net external heat gains/losses.  This will be a function of delta between water temp which would increase as the water warms) and ambient air/ground temps, insolation, convective/radiant gains/losses, etc.

    A 10x20 pool is roughly 3m x 6m, so 18sq.m.
    STC solar insolation of 1000w/sq.m or 3400btu x 18 = ~ 60,000 btu.  If a dark pool cover could absorb half that for 4hrs that's 120,000btu/day in gains, vs ~8,000 for pv.  The pool cover would also reduce losses at night.

    My arithmetic may be off, but it looks to me like the cover wins vs pv.  The pv might be more useful running a circ pump during the day to make the cover heat gain higher (by reducing stratification and increasing delta between warm cover and adjacent pool water).

    FWIW


    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • solar_dave
    solar_dave Solar Expert Posts: 2,397 ✭✭✭✭
    Another way might be to use the solar panels to run a small pump and get some solar hot water collectors.  That and a cover and you might have a nice toasty pool.