Find solar swimming pool vendors locally or nationwide

Editor's note: The Energy Services Bulletin features real answers to real questions posed to our staff at the Energy Services Power Line. We hope you find it useful.

Question: We would like a list of manufacturers, vendors and installers of solar hot water panels for city/community and residential pools.

Answer: Many resources list solar hot water panel vendors, manufacturers and installers, both nationally and regionally.

Associations
The Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association is one of the best overall local resources available. CoSEIA is an association of professionals working in the solar energy industries. Its membership includes manufacturers, installers, consultants and vendors. You can contact CoSEIA at 303-333-7342 in the metro Denver area. Outside Denver, phone 1-866-633-9764, or e-mail CoSEIA.

CoSEIA’s Web site features a complete membership directory, which highlights members who have participated in the CoSEIA Certification Program. Members may be certified in active solar thermal technology or photovoltaics or both.

You will also find links to other resources relating to energy and renewables. The Solar Energy Industries Association is the national parent organization of CoSEIA. The site offers a solar vendor locator by state.

Other Resources
The Source Guide for Renewable Energy, compiled by Momentum Technologies LLC, is a global online marketplace for the renewable energy industry. It features more than 7,000 participating renewable energy businesses throughout the United States and worldwide.

According to the listing, Natural Energy, established in 1977, is the largest solar energy company in the western United States. Licensed in Arizona, California and Nevada, the company specializes in commercial, residential and specialty solar energy applications. It is a member of SEIA, NSPI and the Better Business Bureau.

The Broad Brook, Conn., company Specialty Pool Products, Inc., has interesting information about solar heating in pools. Select the “Shop by Category” section on the home page and click on “Solar Heating.” You can also call toll-free at 800-983-POOL.

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District has information on its Web site about its solar water heating program and a link to a local contractors list.

The EnergyIdeas Clearinghouse offers many good resources on swimming pools. You can access publications, conferences and technical information by typing “pool” in the search tool.

The Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program has extensive information about solar applications for swimming pools. A wide variety of topics are covered including state and community codes and requirements for solar water heaters and solar pool heating systems. Spend some time researching the Web site to get the most comprehensive overview.

Conferences
There are a number of solar conferences coming up in the next few months. Some of them include sessions on solar heating of swimming pools. This could be a good opportunity to connect with solar professionals.

ISES Solar World Congress – 2005
Orlando, Florida
August 6 to 12, 2005

Solar Power 2005 Conference and Expo
Washington, D.C.
October 6 – 9, 2005

General Swimming Pool Energy Efficiency
As you are dealing with residential as well as city and community pools, there are some general resources on swimming pool energy efficiency that may be of interest to your residential users. EnergyIdeas Clearinghouse’s Hot Tub and Pool Conservation Tips and Energy-Efficient Residential Swimming Pools from BC Hydro offer simple advice to reduce a swimming pool’s energy consumption.

Power Line can provide further research on this topic or direct technical assistance. Call 1-800-769-3756, or submit your request online.