[LN2Campy]

That efficiency % is disingenous at best: the largest "loss" of energy is atmospheric absorption. I would argue that since solar power is only collected once it has already passed through the atmosphere, this "loss"
really isn't a loss at all.

Considering the necessary military expenditures for protecting our access to overseas crude, the pittance in subsidies allocated to solar power is miniscule.

[Boot Hill]

LN2Campy says:   "I would argue that since solar power is only collected once it has already passed through the atmosphere, this 'loss' really isn't a loss at all."

It doesn't alter any of the data in the table whether you start your calculation with the solar constant or after atmospheric effects. The numbers all remain the same.

--Boot Hill