Yes it is, that's why it would be supplemental solar. If we added solar capacity to every home, even though it is less than efficient than a large central collector system, The result would still be a low-cost dramatic reduction in the amount of energy production required.

There is not going to be one solution to getting off of carbon. Nested power generation methodologies will be a significant part of our future.

The efficiency is less important - we already have residential houses. Why not cover them with solar panels?

Don't get me wrong, if they don't generate enough electricity to cover the cost of the panels or something like that, then efficiency is important. But there's no point comparing their efficiency to a solar farm.

If we're honest, all solar is far less efficient here than in most US states.

Yeah, but with utility scale solar the consumer is still buying the power at market rates from the utility. If you own the panels on your roof your utility pays you for the power you feed into the grid. You can come close to zeroing out your electic bill.