The solar thermal collection and radiant heating system for a spa comprising upper and lower absorber members having fluid passageways and in thermal communication, a skin member encasing said upper and lower absorber members and an insulative member located therebetween the upper and lower members and a solar collection device located on the skin member.

A heat transfer system includes a conduit having open first and second ends, first and second thermal exchange segments disposed in-between and in fluid communication with the ends, and a means for adding fluid to the first end. The first thermal exchange segment is disposed underneath and in thermal communication with the ground, a body of water, or other location with a different temperature. The first and second ends are arranged above all other section of conduit and relative to one another so that they are communicating vessels and a change in fluid level in one changes the fluid level in the other. The means for adding fluid to the first end of the conduit causes fluid to flow freely from the first end to the second end and fluid level to rise in the second overcoming any hydrostatic pressure in the system without a pump disposed along the conduit.

The present invention discloses a solar heating system for cyclic heating of a swimming pool, relating to the swimming pool heating technology. The solar heating system structurally comprises a swimming pool, solar heaters and a water pump. Compared with the prior art, a solar panel is mainly added, and the water pump is installed on a solar heater in an integrated way that the water pump is connected with not only the solar heater as a waterway, but also the solar panel as a power supply circuit. After the above-mentioned improvements, the whole solar heating system has the advantages such as a compact structure, convenient disassembly and assembly, and miniaturization. Since the solar panel independently supplies power to the water pump, the solar heating system can be used normally in an outdoor place far away from a mains socket. The application place is not restricted with wide application scope.

Solar panels located on residential roofs can be unsightly in some cases. A swimming pool solar power generator can locate solar panels in or around the sides and/or bottoms of a swimming pool in a manner so as to create electricity from the sun without creating an eyesore. In an embodiment, a pool solar power generator includes a solar cell module disposed in a portion of a swimming pool. The solar cell module can include solar cells and be submerged under water held by the swimming pool. The solar cell module can convert sunlight incident on the solar cells to electricity and transmit the electricity for use at a location external to the swimming pool.

A system comprising a structure (1) defining a volume for containing or receiving a body of water. The system further comprises a solar energy system for heating a body of water. The system comprises a solar radiation receiving unit (2) configured to receive solar radiation and configured to convert said solar radiation into heat energy. The system also comprises a barrier means (3) of varying solar radiation transmittance arranged over said solar radiation receiving unit (2). The barrier means (3) is configured to varyingly control the solar radiation receivable by said solar radiation receiving unit (2).

A swimming pool cover with lenses is disclosed. The swimming pool cover uses lenses to focus ambient solar energy into the water of a swimming pool. In one embodiment, a plurality of rectangular lenses is connected at their edges by a minimal amount of connecting or gusset material, in order to create an impermeable sheet, while maximizing the amount of incident solar energy absorbed by the swimming pool water. The swimming pool cover also protects detritus from falling into the swimming pool, while at the same time, reduces the amount of heat loss through evaporation. In another embodiment, the gusset material connects a plurality of lenses, varying in both size and shape.

A control system suitable for use with a bathing unit system having a water receptacle is provided. The control system comprises first and second heating modules and a controller configured for activating a specific one of the first and second heating module at least in part based on whether the bathing unit is in use.

A solar heater for floating on water generally comprises a flexible outer ring and a bottom cover. The ring and the cover can absorb solar radiation, reduce pool water evaporation and preserve heat in pool. Holes through the cover permit drain of rain from above the cover and egress of air from under the cover.

A portable solar powered pool heater comprising a housing, a hose, a controller, a solar panel and at least one leg having a first position for supporting the housing above a surface, and a second position disposed inside of the housing. This heater can include a hinge, wherein the leg comprises a leg that is coupled to the housing via the hinge. In one embodiment the leg comprises a telescoping leg having a first leg, and a second leg wherein said second leg is telescoping inside of the first leg.

Technologies are disclosed herein for a thin heat exchanger through which coolant may be pumped. The heat exchanger may include an envelope and a heat conduction layer provided over the envelope. The envelope may include one or more channels formed therein. The channels formed between the envelope and the conduction layer may extend the length of the heat exchange layer and be configured to carry coolant therethrough. The heat exchange layer may include an inlet manifold on a first end and an outlet manifold on another end opposing the first end. The inlet manifold may allow the flow of coolant into the heat exchange layer and the outlet manifold may allow the removal of the coolant from the heat exchange layer. Coolant flow may be controlled by a suction pump operating under computer control based at least in part on sensor data.