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Actually the electricity bill already includes a fixed fee for having service (called the Service Charge) which is on top of usage fees. So, now what is the rationale?

The problem is in the sheer number of cells needed. With hundreds of millions of cells, even assuming zero cost for a replacement cell, the cost of finding and replacing the failed cells would be significative. Thermal cycling would be a factor causing degradation of a solar thermal plant, sure, but it would also affect PV.

If I had to choose a solar plant design, I would go for a linear alternator powered by a free piston Stirling engine. Stirling engines are more expensive than other thermal engines, but that's mostly because they are made in smaller numbers. There is at least one prototype system based on this principle in Arizona.

Electric companies already do this, its called Time of Use
 

and add them to the Dry Lake Project here in Arizona. http://www.srpnet.com/environment/drylakewind.aspx

This along with the Computer Interface will be much more reliable. It is sophisticated enough to learn what appliances turn on and for how long and breaks down the usage detail for each.

This does require opening your breaker box and installing a loop around the incoming hot lines. This can kill you if you do not know what you are doing. If you are not familiar with working in hot boxes I recommend having an electrician install it.

My utility provides a box with a smart card that shows real time power usage, balance left on the card and approximate minutes until disconnect. Check with your utility for something similar. I like it much more than the monthly bill.

Midday isn't always the highest.

Salt River Project Time-of-Use schedule (home)
http://www.srpnet.com/prices/home/tou.aspx

Time-of-Use schedule (business)
http://www.srpnet.com/prices/business/tou.aspx

For home: Winter peak hours:
5 a.m. to 9 a.m. weekdays
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays

You might want the dishwasher running in the middle of the day, rather than when you want it quiet to watch TV or sleep.

Midday isn't always the highest.

Salt River Project Time-of-Use schedule (home)
http://www.srpnet.com/prices/home/tou.aspx

Time-of-Use schedule (business)
http://www.srpnet.com/prices/business/tou.aspx

For home: Winter peak hours:
5 a.m. to 9 a.m. weekdays
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays

You might want the dishwasher running in the middle of the day, rather than when you want it quiet to watch TV or sleep.

For comparison, the Four Corners power plant is 2,040 megawatts, and the San Juan plant is 1,600 megawatts. These plants and others have smogged the views around the Grand Canyon.

Too bad the clear air around Gerlach will be a thing of the past.