[Realism]

We need power at night, too, of course.

Yes, but not as much. Until we come up with a feasible way to store massive amounts of renewable energy there is no reason solar cannot be used to offset the higher daytime loads.

[PapaBear3625]

Until we come up with a feasible way to store massive amounts of renewable energy there is no reason solar cannot be used to offset the higher daytime loads.

Office buildings, for example, have much higher loads during daylight hours

[cogitator]

Yes, but not as much.

During winter more is needed an night for heating than during the day, and that's when solar radiation is lowest.

Mind you, I think solar power will be an important component in our evolving national energy infrastructure. I was just facetiously pointing out the obvious problem.

[wolf78]

Yes, but not as much. Until we come up with a feasible way to store massive amounts of renewable energy there is no reason solar cannot be used to offset the higher daytime loads.

If you use solar energy to melt salt (molten salt can be stored for hours), you can build a 24h solar plant with steam turbines just like a conventional power plant. Just google "Solar Tres".

[bert]

The technology is old and actually in place. Pumped stroage tied to a nuclear plant fueled with breeder reactor product does the job well.