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> They typically generate 10-25% of their maximum output on the cloudiest of days. Most cloudy days are not maximally cloudy.

If you're at higher latitudes, this is notably less of a drop-off than you see between high/low season.

My friends with residential solar see <10% overall output in January vs July. (~60% drop from fewer sunshine hours, ~80% drop from decreased solar irradiance.)

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This gets complex quickly, because temperature matters too: cells are more efficient when they are cold. These effects interact and the results are sometimes surprising.

Many pure-numbers theoretical comparisons also make the assumption that you can consume all the power that the cells generate, which is not always the case. In an off-grid installation with a battery, for example, you might not be able to consume everything, depending on the month of the year. Practical example: my installation gets some of peak usage numbers in March/April, because that's when it's still cold and I use the power for heating. The cells are cold, I need the power, and there is some sunshine, all this combines. It's not obvious.

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But they do generate zero power at night.
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And people use less energy at night. Yes, they do need heating/cooling and a few other things at night, but the peak is during the day and in the evening.

This argument is almost closed at this point, with PV + batteries being quite price competitive. We're no longer in 2018.

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Solution? Send large mirrors into space so it never stops shining.

https://www.reflectorbital.com/

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That surely won't interfere with the ecosystem at all! /s
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