[visualops]

Even several years ago, there are self-cleaning systems to eliminate the dirt/dust issues.
It's interesting you ignored the case studies pages at one of the sites you are sourcing.
You seem to be picking and choosing your source info, and you make blanket statements that are not sourced, to support your desired conclusion, rather looking at how alternative energy sources can be viable in a number of situations.
http://www.oja-services.nl/iea-pvps/cases/index.htm
http://www.solarhouse.com

[The Red Zone]

and you make blanket statements that are not sourced

Footnotes, we don't need no steekin footnotes!

Doubtless Boot's main point is valid, that solar is way oversold (and too bad it won't work to cover Washington state with photocells, we have to pick on poor New Mexico), but as an engineer I hope to see something I can verify.

[Boot Hill]

visualops says:   "It's interesting you ignored the case studies..."

Every case study I've ever read fell into one of two categories. Either they failed to present sufficient information to be able to make a rational analysis of the cost effectiveness or the else the information demonstrated clearly that the installation was not cost effective. The physics and economics have demonstrated repeatedly that solar power is simply not cost competitive with conventional power plants.

--Boot Hill