In order to compare apples to apples, electric power analysts use the (maximum, I assume; or maybe average) cost per unit of power that can be produced from a g

In order to compare apples to apples, electric power analysts use the (maximum, I assume; or maybe average) cost per unit of power that can be produced from a given technology. This lets analysts not have to account for the operational efficiencies of the powerplant, solar cell, etc. As far as cloudy days/nighttime, most of the energy use occurs in the afternoon and early evening, when everybody comes home and turns on their stoves, washing/drying machines, TV's, etc. This corresponds to the average peak solar production. So these solar cells would, if they find widespread use, get rid of the need for "peakers", which are peak generating units, and are the most expensive in terms of the cost of energy produced.