#2
by Shaftoe
With a few caveats, yes fusion reactors are worthwhile. With energy tech at level 20, my Fusion Reactor level 16 produces as much energy as my Solar Plant 32.
The important thing is that in order to be worthwhile, your energy tech needs to be reasonably high. I haven't run the numbers, but the formula is in the game text for Fusion Reactor. I started with an energy tech of 12 which is the requirement for other research, and even then (if I remember correctly) it was beneficial for me to use fusion reactors in order to supplement level 30 or higher Solar Plants.
The point is that it is a trade-off. You are sacrificing a relatively small amount of hourly production of deuterium in order to increase power production without having to build the next highest level of solar plant. At higher levels, solar plants begin to become almost prohibitively expensive for the amount of power they produce, but fusion reactors provide an indestructible (unlike solar sats) alternative.
If you are just starting out, I recommend building solar plants primarily. Fusion reactors provide a better return on investment at higher levels and higher levels of energy tech.