Doesn't sound high to me. I have a Hayward 1 hp Superpump 2 spd and 20lbs is perfectly normal for 8 years now. When it hits 25 lbs I have to backwash. Since my solar panels are on a "Y" connection with the return, I don't see much of a change in pressure when they are on. My pump is only about 5' from the pool, and my return line is maybe 10' long and rises no more than 4' above the pump, plus another foot to the solar panels. I have 240 sq feet of panels.