[Uncledave]

There will always be a net loss of energy due to entropy that increases with the number of transforming phases.

Of course that's true. But remember the solar "fuel" is free. It all comes down to cost/watt. I doubt it's as low as coal or nuke, and certainly there's some tax subsidy with this (not that coal and nukes don't have their large slice of pork).

Another point is that electricity prices are highest in peak hours - so at the sunniest/hottest times when prices are highest the project would be running at its best pace.

[antiRepublicrat]

How do the end calculations work for value? Solar Two cost $15 per watt to build, which is probably a lot more than alternatives. But the operating costs over the lifetime are negligible in comparison.

so at the sunniest/hottest times when prices are highest the project would be running at its best pace.

I'd think photovoltaic, which is going down to $1/watt for the cells, would be much better for helping the grid with peak demands.