Solar panels on the sort of scale being discussed here would, once you consider the logistics of maintenance, basically be a small (or large) town that also has

Solar panels on the sort of scale being discussed here would, once you consider the logistics of maintenance, basically be a small (or large) town that also has a huge number of solar panels. Running a company town devoted to solar panel maintenance in the middle of the Sshara wouldn't be impossible, but it's a lot harder than just plunking down a one-time infrastructure investment.