Features of the Xolarator
There are several distinctive features to SunCo's Xolarator that are not available in many other systems.
Monolithic Panel
The Xolarator uses a panel that is one continuous black plane joining 112 flow tubes. Some other panels, while they "look pretty," use individual, non-joining tubes. A monolithic panel has a much higher performance than those non-joining tubes, because of the opening between each tube, where no solar energy is collected. Our tests show approximately 25% loss using non-joining tubes under no wind conditions and more if the wind speed is five or more knots.
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(Two-inch Headers
Normally, this wouldn't be a big deal. In this case, however, the solar panels are connected in rows — usually on the roof. The row arrangement is designed to take the maximum advantage of the available roof space and alignment, but it will usually add 50 to 70 feet of piping to your existing pool circulation/filtration pump system.
With smaller headers, this would put a large drag on the flow with a resulting increase in head pressure on your pool pump. Other systems are built on 1½-inch headers. The larger the header, the less drag a row of panels adds to the flow. Xolarator systems usually add only 1-2 psi to total system pressure, mainly because of our larger headers. In most cases, you won't need to add a booster pump, and installation will be a lot simpler.
(Heating and Cooling Options
We selected the Goldline GL-235 Solar Controller to control the functions of the Xolarator. It's reliable, and it will allow you to heat or cool your pool water depending on the conditions simply by adjusting the thermostat. See the full description on the Xolarator Controls page.
Freeze Proof
When the system is off, the vacuum relief valve at the top of the system opens, allowing any remaining water in the collectors to drain back into the pool. Thus, if the air temperature drops below freezing when the system is not running, the panels will not freeze or be damaged. It's all part of the complete engineering the Xolarator has been through before market.
Technical Service
Most customers let their pool company install the Xolarator. And to help facilitate the installation, we provide complete technical assistance, beginning with the 100% documented and illustrated brochure — the most complete and accurate in the industry.
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Lifetime Warranty
We will replace any panel that leaks for the entire time you own your system. We'll send you a brand-new collector panel if any initial panel develops an irreparable leak at any time. All you pay is shipping. We firmly believe this will never need to be done, as we have several hundred panels in use today with no defects having been experienced in the first five years of installation.