How To Use Tesla Solar for Pool Power


How To Use Tesla Solar for Pool Power

It is a well-known concept that switching to solar is the ultimate way to power your home while minimizing or completely erasing your electricity bill. Plus, you help the planet by reducing gas emissions. Since pools can be a significant drain on your wallet and energy, especially if they are heated, switching your pool to solar just makes sense.

Tesla solar power systems can be used to power different parts of a pool, from the pool pump to any pool heating. Further, Tesla solar panels are the most affordable solar option, and even offer a price match guarantee.

Tesla solar is one of the leading solar panel outfitters. The company also produces some of the most efficient, high-powered solar storage batteries and electric pool pumps. Whether you want to simply switch your pool pump to solar, install a solar-powered pool cover, or heat your entire pool, read on to find out more.

» MORE: How Many Watts Are Tesla Solar Panels?

Tesla Solar for a Pool Pump

There are two main routes when deciding how to best use solar to power your pool pump. You must first determine if you want your pool pump to be powered on-grid or off-grid. Even if you already have panels on your roof, there are other considerations such as cost over time and ease of installation.

Ultimately, off-grid will be the greater upfront cost with the longest-lasting benefits. The on-grid installation will be quick and relatively simple but can mean higher costs over time. In either scenario, powering your pool pump will only require a few hours of strong, peak sunlight to keep cleaning your pool daily.

Plugging Into On-Grid House Solar

If you already have an on-grid Tesla solar system installed on your roof (6kW solar or higher), this may be enough for your pool pump to run on without putting a huge drain on your home’s usual electric output. There will also be no need to purchase another pool pump if yours is already electric unless you want a more efficient, updated version.

However, on the days when the sun decides not to shine, your pool pump will need to pull its power from the grid, which means you will once again be paying for electricity.

Consider where you live and decide if you will have enough energy to get you through even the darkest winter. If cutting off all electricity payments is your primary goal in switching your pool over to solar, consider the off-grid option.

Here are the clear benefits of plugging in your pool pump to either the grid or your houses on-grid solar:

  • Fewer upfront costs for additional parts and installation
  • Keep the electric pool pump you already own
  • No need to worry about days with little to no sun

Installing and Hooking Up An Off-Grid Pool Pump

Off-grid solar will give you the freedom to install solar power for your pool pump without needing any permission. You will also have the option to install your solar panels wherever you want, such as closer to the pool. This would mean fewer trenches and installment costs for running wires and frees up space on your roof for home electricity.

You will, however, need to buy a new pool pump. A variable speed pool pump is the most energy efficient, and costs around $1000 installed. You will also need a solar battery if you do not already have one. The solar battery is to store the solar energy to be used around the clock, not just while the sun is shining. Tesla sells their Tesla Powerwall battery for around $10,000 installed. Below you will find some approximates.

Tesla ItemItem CostTotal With Installation Cost
Tesla Variable Speed Pool PumpApproximately $800Approximately $1,000
Tesla Powerwall BatteryApproximately $8,000Approximately $10,000 – $16,000

You can make your money back on the pool pump purchase in as little as three years, and that is just on efficiency alone. With the added benefit of going solar to power the pump, savings will be even greater. As for the battery, making your money back will take a bit longer, but the pros of being off-grid also make it a great option to consider.

» MORE: Do You Have to Order Tesla Solar From Tesla?

Tesla Solar for Pool Heating

While gas-powered pool heaters will pack a greater punch when it comes to heat output and speed, electric heat pumps are a more reliable, constant, efficient, and far cheaper option in the long run. If sufficiently solar-powered, your electric heat pump can run all season and all day long without any added cost or huge drain on resources.

Tesla does not make a solar or electric heat pump, but you can easily find an electric heat pump that will hook up to your home’s Tesla panels. This saves a lot of space, as you will probably only need approximately 3-5 more solar panels to power your electric pool heater if you have no surplus on your home’s current system.

For a solar pool heater, you would need at least three-fifths the size of your pool, if not 100% of your pool size, in solar panels alone placed atop your roof or in another location with optimal sun exposure. The best approach for saving space and cost, especially if you are in a warmer climate, is installing an electric pool heating pump.

» MORE: Using Solar Power to Heat a Pool Explained for Beginners

Deciding on an Electric Heat Pump

There are a few considerations to be made when choosing the right electric heat pump for your pool. Heat pumps cost around $3,000 plus installation, which is about $1,000 for a traditional electric system. Your ability to make back this money quickly over time will depend on the following considerations:

  • Pool size
  • Desired water temperature
  • Sun exposure

Even if you have a giant pool, less than perfect sun exposure, and like your pool to be the hottest possible, you will eventually make your money back. It just may take eight years or more. If you were not using solar, a pool heater would cost you an average of $300 a year.

An electric pool heat pump is also more efficient, and you can worry far less about a substantial gas bill at the end of the month. Plus, overtime electric pool heat pumps are proven to have greater longevity and lower upkeep costs.

Consider a Solar Powered Pool Cover

While you can still heat your pool with solar without using a pool cover, it is worth considering the investment. The more you heat your pool, the more the water will evaporate, resulting in you needing to dump in more water about every two weeks.

Not only this, but the pool cover will also keep your pool warmer longer and thus increases efficiency by cutting back even more on energy expenditure. This is especially true if you live somewhere cold where the heat differential between the daily temperature and your desired pool temperature is more significant.

What is more, you can even make your pool cover solar powered depending on the shape of your pool. If you have a traditional, rectangular-shaped pool, you can install an electric pool cover that will roll in and out at the flip of a switch or even the tap of a button on your smart device.

With an electric pool cover, you will not have to go to the extra manual effort of putting the cover in place each night and removing it each time you or your family want to go for a swim. Though there is a considerable upfront cost, the cutbacks in pool maintenance and increase in efficiency can make it well worth the investment.

» MORE: Pool Power – How to Use Solar Power to Run A Pool Pump

Conclusion

Although the total cost of installing Tesla solar panels and the associated electric technology needed to run your pool solely on solar power is large, you are guaranteed to save money and increase your peace of mind in the long run. And with Tesla, you are also guaranteed the highest quality technology solar has to offer.

Solar Discounts:

Greg

The articles here on ThatTeslaChannel.com are created by Greg, a Tesla vehicle and Tesla solar expert with nearly half a decade of hands-on experience. The information on this site is fact-checked and tested in-person to ensure the best possible level of accuracy.

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