Simplified Sizing Guide for Solar
Pool Heating Systems

A. Measure and enter the overall pool length.
Ft

B. Measure and enter the overall pool width.
Ft

Shape Multiplier
Rectangle
Kidney / Free Form
Oval
Round		 1.00
0.85
0.90
0.79

C. Enter a corresponding shape multiplier.

Check the orientation of the roof area with a compass, refer to the table below and select a multiplier. Solar panels can face up to 30° East or West of true South for optimum efficiency. Panels cannot face in a Northerly direction, unless supported by a rack to elevate the system towards south.
 

Orientation Multiplier
South Facing
East or West Facing
Flat		 1.00
1.25
1.10

D. Enter a corresponding orientation multiplier.

Determine the percentage of shade on the entire pool during the Solar Day
(9 am - 5 pm), refer to the table below and select a multiplier. If only a portion of the pool shaded for part of the solar day, then a Shade Multiplier should be extrapolated from the table (i.e., 50% of the pool shaded for 50% (4 hours) of the solar day equals 25% or a multiplier of 1.10).

Indoor pools should use 100% shade multiplier.

Shade Multiplier
No shade from 9am to 5pm
25% shade
50% shade
75% shade
100% shade		 1.00
1.10
1.25
1.50
1.75

E. Enter a corresponding shading multiplier.

F. Enter a screen enclosure multiplier.
(screen enclosure, use a 1.25 multiplier
no screen enclosure, use a 1.00 multiplier)

 

G. Using the map above, find your location, then choose the two digit Sizing Factor.  If you are located in between two or more numbers, use the average.  When in doubt, use the larger number. 

To run the estimator, click the "calculate" button.

This is the pool surface area in Square Feet.
SqFt

This is the required square footage of solar panels.
SqFt

This is number of 4' x 8' solar panels.
panels
This is number of 4' x 10' solar panels. panels
This is number of 4' x 12' solar panels. panels

NOTE: These sizing guidelines assume use of a pool cover when night time temperatures are below 60°.
If a cover is not used during these conditions, the system must be over-sized by 75-100%.

Solar Insulation Map

 


Zone

Swimming
Season

1

12 mos.

2

10-11 mos.

3

9 mos.

4

8 mos.

5

6 mos.

6

4 mos.

7

3 mos.

 

Your Swimming Season

Use the map above to determine your zone and the table at right to determine the length of the swimming season for your solar heated pool maintaining temperatures of 80 degrees F or better.