> plants are pegged to (IIRC) 10-15% theoretical max efficiency...

OTOH, plants (i.e. trees) can live for hundreds of years, they are self-replicating, they extract their own minerals from the ground, require very little energy input to put in place, play an crucial role in the water cycle [1], reduce the albedo effect [2], cool the air [3], provide a habitat for a multitude of species, and bring joy to our hearts.

Oh, I almost forgot, they also fix carbon! And they do all this for free, the only thing you have to do is, you know, not cut them down.

I would say that's a pretty good deal.

[1] https://sustainablefootprint.org/nederlands-trees-and-the-wa... [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albedo#Trees [3] https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/using-trees-and-vegetation-r...