I am NOT an engineer, but I'd like to see why this wouldn't be superior to photovoltaic. Each conversion of energy loses a lot. And couldn't the materials cost of this be a lot lower too?

Just price out a sq. meter or solar cells ($1000) and a sq. meter of mirror ($5), then factor in the 4 to 1 efficiency (20% vs 90%) advantage of mirrors, add the simplicity advantage of evaporation over reverse osmosis, it is hard to see what could overcome this 1000 to 1 cost advantage.