Advantages of Solar Powered Ovens

• They're inexpensive to make or to buy.

• You can cook pretty much anything you'd cook in a conventional oven.

• When using a solar oven you pay zero for power and the earth doesn't pay either.

• Put your food in and go have fun for a few hours. when you come back it'll be ready.

• Solar powered ovens can be used anywhere where the sun shines. Even at a remote cottage or wilderness getaway where there's no power you can have oven cooked comfort food.

• This is a great way to get the kids or grandkids involved in cooking and the environment.

• Boil water in remote areas to ensure it's safe to drink.

Solar Powered Pools

Solar Powered Pools. An economical and green way to keep your pool heated and filtered. Here's how to get your solar powered swimming pool established at minimal cost to you and the environment.

Can Solar Energy Save the Family Swimming Pool?

Solar power applications don't have to be expensive. Many projects take as little as a year to pay for themselves and then they begin paying back... for years.

Energy costs for running a swimming pool can be enormous, eating up as much as one third of your energy dollar. Swimming pools are often a first sacrifice when cutting back on expenses.

A solar powered swimming pool, on the other hand, costs nothing to run once the initial investment has been paid off. If fear of the initial cost has you cooling your heels maybe we can help. Check out our tips for keeping it affordable.

Most systems for solar powered pools consist of the following components:

Solar Collector

Filter and Strainer

Pump

Solar Panels

Flow Control Valve

Various hardware and electrical supplies

Here are some timely tips for keeping the cost of solar powered pools down to earth.

Solar Collector

With solar powered pools you can cycle the water through the collector at night and enjoy a several degree temperature drop.

Solar collectors vary a great deal in price depending on what your needs are.

Making your own is the least expensive option, and it's an easy project.

The next least expensive choice is an unglazed (no tempered glass cover) collector. If you only intend to have your swimming pool functional during summer months or you live in a climate where the temperatures never dip below freezing, the cheaper unglazed solar collector is the one for you.

The most expensive collector is the glazed solar unit. Only necessary if you wish to have a year round solar powered swimming pool in a climate where temperatures dip below the freezing point.

Pump

One of the biggest expenses of a solar powered swimming pool, the pump circulates the pool water through the filters and heater and back to the pool.

This is one of those "you get what you pay for" scenarios. Solar pumps are DC (12V) pumps and are more expensive than conventional AC pumps but... and this is a big but... they last longer than AC pumps and are about twice as efficient which means that (a job that requires a 1 hp AC pump can be handled by a 1/2 hp DC pump). This means that in the long run the solar pump is the more economical choice.

It is possible to run an AC pump with solar panels but not efficient. In order to make the system functional you'd need the addition of an inverter which adds to the expense and maintenance of your system and subtracts from the efficiency (the inverter needs power too and it takes it from the panels).

more about solar water pumps

Solar Panels

You'll need sufficient wattage to run the pump. Buying used solar panels can keep costs down and it can be a good option for a solar swimming pool project. Check out our cheap solar power ideas for lots inexpensive ways to harness solar power for solar swimming pools and more.

If you've done your homework and know which components you need and the appropriate sizes, e-bay can be a good option.

Cover the Pool

Don't underestimate the importance of covering the pool. Not only does a pool cover keep the heat in, it can generate it's own heat, warming a pool as much as 15 degrees F. A cover pays for itself in the first year and at some times it's the only heater you'll require.