Solar Thermal Pannels

Solar Thermal Panels

The black panels located along the North edge of the Aquatic
Center are used to collect sunlight which is used to heat the pool water.
This system was built by Heliocol, Inc..
The water temperature had to be kept at precisely 82 F for Olympic competition,
and it was the job of the solar thermal system to maintain this temperature.
In its post-Olympic configuration, the targeted pool water temperature
is 78 F.

The solar thermal system is backed up by auxiliary systems which include four large
York reciprocating chillers rated at 2286 kW (653 tons) and an auxiliary heating system.
However, these were not needed during the Games; the solar thermal system was highly
successful in maintaining the required water temperature on its own.