Hacker News Reader

Gobi dessert doesn't produce solar power when it is night in China, but solar power from Chile can supply China at night.

Most electricity is consumed in the early evening and during the winter. That's why such a cable would make sense because of the time difference and the inverted seasons.

Gobi is famously dusty, is that a factor? Also a lot of Chile is at high altitudes (thing Atacama), are PVs more efficient there?

I don't think altitude affects efficiency, but it does effect the light intensity, particularly in ultra-violet.