Another advantage of a solar cover is reduced chlorine losses. At CYA=0, my chlorine residence time is 4-5 times longer, with the solar cover in place. The blue solar covers absorb 100% of the UVa radiation impinging on the pool; so besides reduced out gassing, this might be why the residence time is lengthened.
In seasonal pools, such as ours, CYA is usually 0 in the Spring, if you had a significant ice cover over the winter. So, if you SLAM at CYA=0, using the pool cover, over the first 72 hours, you will shorten the duration of the SLAM, and get to the 'cloudy-bleached-dead-algae' stage much faster, than if you add CYA, at the beginning of the SLAM.
Also, if your pool surface is significantly (50%) shaded throughout the day, as mine is by trees, and you use the solar cover during the day, you can run your pool at CYA=20. Since you will lose it all over the winter, this will result in 30% yearly savings.
As an aside, 10.8% bleach is usually cheapest at Canadian Tire, where is it often on sale for 3.99$/5 Liters. Sodium Bicarbonate (alkalinity) is cheapest at Costco; Arm and Hammer 6 X 500 g = 3 kilos is 5.99$.
Thanks for posting your detailed experience!