My stats are only partially anecdotal. There will be systems with few if any failures. I have had some of these as well but on the whole, a tube systems more maintenance than a flat system with little if any output improvement to show for it.
I'm moving away from AC pumps these days as well and more towards 12DC systems. This past bad winter has seen more controller failures (staying on at night at -20C) than usual and when that happens, the HX can split and eventually split the piping and collectors. PV based 12V systems are more fool proof.
I totally agree on the ease of install for tubes. I would have to say that the single biggest PITA is pulling the 40kg panels up a ladder sometimes 3 storeys. The rest of the work I can do myself but not that.
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