Solar Pool Heating in the USA: Luxury with a Clear Conscience

Originally Published in Sun and Wind Energy Magazine:

By Lisa Cohn and Reid Smith

The U.S. solar pool market – the biggest in the world – has grown 7 to 8 percent per year over the past four years, driven by high energy prices, growth in new housing, and increased awareness about climate change.

Solar pool heating accounts for the largest number of installations in the U.S. and has grown at an average annual rate of 8 % for the past four years,” says the Solar Energy Industry Association’s (SEIA) 2007 US Solar Industry Year in Review.

“Unlike other solar technologies, the pool heating market thrives with virtually no incentives. Altogether, the U.S. solar industry has shipped over 100 million square feet of non-glazed solar collectors for pool heating in the past 10 years.” The sunny states of California and Florida comprise two-thirds of the market, where consumers like to swim year-round, explains Kimia Mizany, director of business development for Solar Depot, based in Petaluma California.

Even with the size of the existing market, there’s much potential for growth. “Fifty percent of in-ground pools in the U.S. are heated; that’s a huge market,” analyses Dave Sizelove, president of Aquatherm Industries, Lakewood, New Jersey, one of the largest manufacturers of solar pool systems.

However, in spite of growth in the industry over the past four years, some areas of the country have seen a dip in sales recently due to the economic downturn. “Right now, with our economic slow down and problems in the housing market we suspect that new pool sales are not robust,” says Sue Kateley, executive director of the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA), Rio Vista, California. Because consumers generally purchase solar systems along with new pools (which most often accompany a new home), a dip in new pool sales equates to fewer solar pool sales, she explains. “But it will come back because so many Californians enjoy swimming and family time in their own backyards. Solar pool heating is a natural complement for those who would enjoy a warmer pool and a longer swimming season,” she adds.

In spite of that setback, new awareness on the part of consumers is increasing the market in parts of the country not usually known for solar pool heating. “There are increased markets in Ohio, Michigan, Texas, and New York,” says Freeman Ford, president and CEO of Fafco Inc., Chico, California.

New incentives are on the way

Other areas are seeing an uptake in sales in response to new incentives. For example, in

Florida, homeowners receive an automatic US$ 100 rebate for installing solar pool heating systems, according to Bruce Kershner, executive director of the Florida Solar Energy Industry Association (FLASEIA), Longwood, Florida.

In Oregon – which offers state tax credits of up to US$ 1,500 after installation is complete – sales are booming, says Brent Gunderson, president of Gen-Con Inc., Portland, Oregon. Many utilities offer additional incentives – up to US$ 1,000, according to Solar Oregon, a non-profit solar education center in Portland, Oregon. “Our sales are off the charts,” stresses Gunderson, “They have gone up since the state introduced new solar incentives.”

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