FAQS

Photovoltaic solar panels have been stringently tested over the decades. There is a small reduction in power output with age mostly due to dulling of the glass surface. Solar panels are expected to last 30 to 40 years.

The pump itself isn’t that much different to a traditional AC powered pump. The big difference is the motor. The pumps are coupled to low voltage (usually 48
to 72 volts) DC (Direct Current as opposed to AC Alternating Current) motors incorporating brushless technology. These motors are almost twice as efficient as a traditional AC motor and have no brushes to wear out.

The low voltage brushless pumps have a life expectancy of up to 20 years.

The solar pool pump systems need no grid connection. The DC power from the panels is directed straight to the DC motor via the dedicated controller, which utilises MPPT technology to ensure maximum efficiency.

There are a number of factors that determine how many panels are required. These include size of pool, underground pipe length, pipe diameter, length and type of cables and so on. Once we feed all that information into the computer, we will know exactly how many panels are required. As a general rule though, if your pool is under 30,000 litres, 2 panels should do the job, up to 4 panels for an 80,000 litre capacity pool. We have pump / panel combinations to cater for any size pool including commercial applications.

On cloudy days the pump will still run, but at a slower rate. The pump / panel combination is worked out allowing for all weather cycles.

Our standard installation includes mounting the pump parallel to your existing AC pump, space permitting. This way, should you need to run water features at night or for any other reason, it’s just a matter of switching your old AC pump on, If the solar pump is stand-alone then the optional power transformer can take care of it.

Yes. The solar pool pumps have been tested with most pool cleaning devices.

Most automatic chlorinators have a device to sense that the pump is running. If you don’t have this system then we recommend that you have it upgraded.

Yes, we can also convert to a ‘one4all’ system where one pump can do both the filtration and the solar heating.

As long as there is adequate space in the pool house and there is nothing untoward associated with your system, then our standard installation includes everything except for trenching and any excess of a 30 meter run of cabling. See our ‘Standard Installation’ details on the pool pump page.

There is actually less maintenance than a traditional pump. Firstly, the solar photovoltaics are virtually maintenance free. The faces of the solar panels are treated and clean themselves every time it rains. The pump itself is far more efficient and more reliable than a traditional AC pump, with a life expectancy 2 to 3 times higher than traditional pumps.

Yes, with the 200 and 500 pumps, the system is ELV (extra low voltage) and safe. However, if you intend to mount the solar panels on the roof, we do recommend employing the services of a person with experience working on a roof with the correct restraints.

The panels can be mounted on the house roof, or space permitting, on the roof of the pump shed a pergola, backyard garden shed, or anywhere else where you have adequate space. If roof area of any kind is not available, then we have available a fence line ground mounting system which can be purchased as an option.

• Solar Panels: 25-year performance warranty.
• DC Pool Pump: 36-month warranty and 24-month pro rata warranty.
• Mounting System: 10-year product warranty (manufacturer).
• Workmanship: 36-month warranty on workmanship (installer).

The solar energy system has no moving parts, therefore extremely reliable. The pump motor is brushless, making it the most reliable electric motor available.

For solar pumps, the cost is mostly in the upfront investment since the equipment is solar powered and designed with high quality materials that are built for harsh environments your solar pump will rarely need repairs and operates maintenance free. (No need to change oil, change consumable parts, etc.). SunSmart Pool Pumps can pay themselves off in as little as 1.5 years with an average of 3-5 years.

As being one of the first companies to introduce solar powered pool pumps into Australia in 2010, we have the expertise to ensure your initial installations go without a hitch and we will provide as much technical support as required.

Although there are some cheap and nasty brands finding their way into the country, the only product that compares to a SunSmart pump (pump and controller) has a retail price of $3145.00. We usually advise our clients they’ll be paying about $1000 more for the competitor’s brand.

This does work but only to a certain degree. It cannot cover the costs properly. You would need a 4kw grid connect system and you will get close, but these are the main reasons it doesn’t quite do the job.

• A typical pool pump consumes around 12kWh a day
• A typical grid connects system produces say 4kWh per day for every kW of solar panels installed.
• A typical grid connects systems exports around 25% of the power produced. Householders rarely consume all that is produced.
• This means you need a 4kw system in order to produce on average 12kWh of usable solar power a day
• Most of the solar power is produced between 10am and 2pm
• Pool pumps run for 7 to 9 hours a day.
• Before 10am and after 2pm the pump will consume more electricity than the solar system can produce
• On heavy overcast days, the pump will consume more electricity than the solar power system can produce, all day
• If you already have grid solar installed and you tamper with it, you risk losing the government feed in tariff. It is always a better solution to install a separate off grid pool pump.

Yes it is possible, but you will need to install a full off grid solar power system which is very costly. Plus you will need around three times as many solar panels. A traditional AC mains powered pump draws around 1500 watts. The SunSmart only draws 500 watts, which means just one third of the amount of solar panels, will be needed.