Do solar panels really work?

[JohnT]

Dumb Questions about set up

Does the addtion of solar panels create the need for larger pump - because of the addtional head?

It usually doesn't, but in most installations, a bypass valve is installed to allow routing some of the pump output past the panels to maintain reasonable pressure.

Can I bypass (with a valve) the water's path through the panels if my pool temp is where I want it to be? - I think i know the answer to this but just want to be sure.

The bypass valve mentioned above can perform this function as well.

Is the head calcualtion any different since I would be going vertically up to my roof to reach the panels? IE can a WhisperFlo 3/4 HP EE pump handle the addtional head of the panels?

Probably. Depends how high the roof is among many other system specific variables.

I am assuming ALL of the routing to/from the panels happens AFTER the filter just like in more 'conventional' heater set ups. Is this true?

Yes, but don't put the panels after a chlorinator.

[cleancloths]

Assuming the pump can initiall lift the water the height really does not come into play as you are pumping up but the falling water acts like a siphon pulling down on the pump. If you draw a box around the entire system you are only raising water from the skimmer level and injecting it back at the surface for a net rise of about a foot or less. You do have the friction loss in the added piping but it should not be that big a factor. I put in 1.5" pipe for my two panels, way overkill but causes almost no head loss.