My pool has some similar and different characteristics than Al's. Not better, not worse, just different. I have a FantaSea pool where the decking around the pool are solar panels. Heats the water and keeps the deck cool under your feet!
I Tee the return flow to the return and to the solar panels. I then Tee to the solar panels (I have two circuits) and each solar circuit has its own ball valve, along with a master cutoff for both. I do NOT have a ball valve on the return as forcing all the flow to the panels will blow the FantaSeas apart--they are somewhat limited as to the pressure they can stand. I don't have the purging question Al does--they purge nicely with very limited pressure.

Carl