Pool pumps and solar in Tampa: the load nobody budgets for

In a lot of Tampa homes with a pool, the pump is second only to air conditioning on the bill. Sizing an array around a badly scheduled single-speed pump means paying for panels to feed a fixable problem.

Single-speed vs variable-speed

A single-speed pump runs at full draw whenever it runs. A variable-speed pump moves the same water over more hours at a fraction of the power, because pump power scales sharply with speed. Swapping one is usually the highest-return efficiency move on a pool home, and it changes the array size we'd recommend.

Run it during solar hours

If the pump runs overnight, every one of those kilowatt-hours is imported. Move filtration to the middle of the day and it's covered by production instead. This costs nothing and it shows up on the next bill.

Then size the array

Once the pump is variable-speed and daytime-scheduled, pull twelve months of usage and size from that. See how many panels you actually need.

One clarification

Origin installs solar electric (PV), roofing, batteries and electrical work. We do not install solar pool heating — if that's what you're after, we'll say so up front rather than sell you the wrong thing.

Talk it through with a Tampa crew

Origin is a Tampa-based solar, roofing, battery and electrical contractor (Florida license EC13012465). Start with the quick questionnaire, read the Tampa solar install page, or book a consultation — in person, virtual, or a call back.