[manimino]

Utility-scale solar is far more efficient than rooftop solar. With rooftop, the panels face whatever direction the roof does. But utility solar fields have panels that rotate to face the sun.

Considering that power generation depends on the cosine of the angle between the sun and the panel - angle matters a LOT. Efficiency falls off fast if your angle is bad.

[baq]

This should be at least somewhat offset by the fact that you generate power approximately where it is consumed, so the grid doesn’t have to grow as much. Turns out it isn’t so simple due to peak demand vs peak production etc but still. I wouldn’t have a problem with plastering PV on half of Nevada.

[webinvest]

Most solar panels are angled to the South to capture the most sun. I read somewhere that fixed installations are better because:

1) The money spent on panel rotators can be invested into having more solar panels.

2) Affixed solar panels are significantly more storm and hurricane proof. If there’s one bad storm with rotating panels, your investment principal is gone.

3) Maintenance costs increase when these moving parts eventually break. Fixed panels have no moving parts.