Is this possible? I would like a fully independent solar hot water system that does not require our pool plumbing system to be running...
The only way to run a solar heating system truely independent of the filter system is have seperate inlets and outlets to and from the pool. Retrofitting that could be dificault and there is duplication of equipment.
You cant easily run two systems off the same existing skimmer and return, if both pumps are on at once you risk starving the pumps and causing damage to the pumps and equipment. I have this setup and would not recommend it. I have a relay switch that prevents both pumps ever being on at once and a bunch of non return valves. The solar system runs during the day while the main pump runs before and after.
3HP is overkill imo
So running the solar system off the pool pump directly seems to be the general recommendation here...
in Aust the norm is a booster pump off the main pump for the solar.
The added cost of plumbing in lots of valves plus yet another pump to have bearings or seals go, nope, not the way to do it.