[Joseph Harrolds]

I think the moral is that a vehicle the size of a Buick can’t drive around using solar panels for power.  If NASA could have used solar in this case, I’m sure they would have; it would surely be less expensive.

[103198]

NASA would have used PV solar if they could because of politics - not cost. The solar array for Curiosity and it's batteries would dramatically increase the size, throw weight, etc. of the project. The PU generator is small and has a very high density energy production. Nuclear power generation of electricity is far lower cost on earth than PV solar, so why wouldn't it even be more so on a planet with less sunlight and a very simple radioisotope electric generator?