Suncell Solar Panels - Conventional Solar panel system
At affordable prices!
Suncell solar panels have been manufactured since 1976,
so we can draw on considerable experience in this field.
Suncell panels have been designed specifically for
swimming pool heating, and confirm to BS 6785
the British Standard for solar heating systems relating to
swimming pools.
Suncell is an ideal low temperature solar application which does not necessitate a more expensive glazed and insulated type of solar panel. Suncell panels are highly efficient for this type of application, operating on a high flow rate principal.
The Suncell panel comprises a polypropylene collector pipe with header pipes welded to each end mounted in an aluminium frame. The use of a specially formulated grade of polypropylene ensures a long life and complete freedom from corrosion from pool water - even from sea water. No maintenance except for draining for winter frost protection is required. A five year guarantee is offered subject to published conditions.
The aluminium frame which surrounds the polypropylene matrix enables easy attachment of the panel to a sloping roof or support frame. The header pipes are linked using hose connectors simply secured by jubilee clips.
Why Suncell Solar Heating? Back
Solar heating is ideal for swimming pools and Suncell solar panels are designed for this specific application.
A pool can be expensive to heat but without heating a pool is a wasted investment. Heating by solar is an economic and effective solution. Unlike any other means of pool heating, with the solar energy source is free and friendly to the environment.
Enjoy comfortable swimming temperatures during an extended season with Suncell solar heating system - now proven is use over two decades by pool owners throughout the UK and overseas.
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Is There Sufficient Sunshine?
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Solar panels can collect heat on bright overcast days - not just on the sunny days when their performance is of course at its best. Even during the average UK summer Suncell solar panels can typically heat a pool from the middle of May until late September.
Pools without any heating only rarely exceed 21ºC (70ºF). With solar heating temperatures in the mid to high 20'sºC can generally be achieved and sometimes above 30ºC.
Many people are perfectly satisfied with these temperatures. If higher temperatures are required, any conventional heating system may be used in conjunction with solar to give a small extra boost. Indoor pools, in use all year round, will in any case require such a back-up heating system as there is not enough sunshine during the winter.
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The pool water is circulated through the panels which absorb heat from the sun's rays to warm the water. Suncell solar panels should be installed in a sunny position, that is unshaded and facing roughly due South.
The panels should be inclined to catch the most sun and they can be fixed either at ground level or on a convient roof. They are connected by pipework to the pool filteration circuit so that the water can be pumped through the panels on the way back to the pool.
A simple control ensures that the water is only diverted via the panels when weather conditions offer a worthwhile heat gain.
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A good deal of energy is needed to heat a pool, so a relatively large area of solar panels is required. This applies whatever solar panels are used, including those more expensive types intended principally for heating hot water rather than pools.
For swimming pools the area of solar panels should generally equate to 50% of the pool surface area - more if the pool is in an especially exposed spot. Even in countries warmer than the UK a similar panel area is required. (The solar heating will be called upon to work correspondingly earlier and later in the year.)
A floating pool cover is recommended to insulate the surface of any pool when not in use.
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Description Of A Typical SystemBack
The solar panels are linked into the filteration circuit, making use of the existing filter pump. Filtered water passes through the solar panels which are connected in ahead of any auxiliary heater. By this means free solar energy is used first, with more expensive back-up heating cutting in only when a further boost is needed.
Whether or not you have an auxiliary boiler or a heat exchanger, the solar heating needs its own control system. This ensures that pool water passes through the solar panels whenever solar heat is available to be collected. Equally it prevents circulation through the panels during unfavourable weather when heat could be lost.
This control is achieved by installing a motorised (3-way) diverter valve in the filteration circuit, activated by a Suncell DTC electronic control unit. The DTC is equipped with two accurate temperature sensors which constantly monitor the pool and panel temperatures to signal to the valve when it is worthwhile directing pool water to the Suncell panels. Filteration continues even if there is no heat gain as the motorised valve will then divert the water to bypass the solar panels.
The water circulates through the Suncell panels from bottom to top, entering at one end of a bank of panels and exiting at the opposite top end. Up to 8 panelscan be installed in a single bank with flexible hose connectors joining the individual panels and the pipework at each end. End caps seal off the unused connectors. Ordinary swimming pool pipework with valves for winter isolation completes the installation. No insulation is necessary due to the system operating at close to ambient temperature.
For small and medium sized pools the existing filteration pump will almost always cope easily with the addition of solar panels. For larger school, hotel or public (e.g. more than 16 panels) we can offer recommendations for an additional solar-circuit pump in place of a motorised valve.
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Benefits Of Suncell Solar HeatingBack
For almost any pool, private or public, a Suncell solar heating system is a sound investment. The capital cost is recovered against fuel savings, making for a highly cost effective solution to pool heating needs.
Naturally solar heating is environmentally friendly, playing its part in the conservation of valuable fossil fuel resources and thus also sparing the emission of 'greenhouse gasses'. In this respect it leaves all other forms of heating - including heat pumps - standing. Solar is silent and pollution free.
Swimming pool heating is the one solar application widely accepted as worthwhile. The summertime pool heating requirement is perfectly in phase with the months of maximum sunshine availability.
Suncell solar heating is generally straight-forward to install and does not interfere with the operation of other pool equipment such as filters, pumps, heaters or chemical dosing units. It is reliable and efficient.
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Technical Data On Suncell Solar PanelsBack
Panel TypeSuncell Suncell
Dimensions 1.2m wide x 2m (4' x 6'6")1.2m wide x 3m (4' x 10')
Area 2.4m² (26sq.ft.)3.6m² (39sq.ft.)
