India ranks 3rd globally in its ambition to achieve rapid expansion of solar energy. It has made a significant target to generate 50% of its electricity using non-fossil fuel sources and 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. Solar energy is likely to be at the center of achieving these targets.
What Affects Solar Energy Efficiency?
Solar panels rely on the quality and quantity of solar radiation they get, which is essential to their efficiency. Nonetheless, this efficiency is very much dependent on several environmental factors.
Cloud Cover and Airborne Particles: The clouds reflect the sunlight, and the airborne pollutants, e.g., dust and aerosols, either scatter or absorb it. Days of high smog or haze will decrease the sunlight that can reach the panels and decrease power generation.
Deteriorating Solar Quality: India enjoys about 300 sunny days annually; however, the quality of solar is deteriorating due to the increasing air pollution, which reduces the efficiency of solar panels.
Temperature Rise: Solar panels work best at 25°C. Climate change can reduce the performance of panels through increased temperatures.
Airflow and Wind Speed: These influence the cooling of panels, but their impact on efficiency is not large compared to pollution and temperature.
The Major Results of a Recent Study
An analysis of the historical data (1985 to 2014) and future climate projections (2041 to 2050) was conducted to determine the effect of pollution and climate change on the generation of solar energy in India. The sources of data were the CERES project of NASA and the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
Two future scenarios were analyzed:
Moderate climate action and weak pollution control result in an increased decline in solar efficiency.
Poor climate policy and good pollution control cause a relatively low efficiency loss (~2.3%).
It is estimated that the loss of power per year will be 840 gigawatt-hours because of the decreased performance of the panels.
In some areas, such as Northeast India and Kerala, solar yields could be higher because of comparatively less cloud cover and pollution.
Why This Study Matters
These findings are important to policymakers and the solar energy industry. Through the identification of the role of environmental factors in the efficiency of solar, the stakeholders will be able to make informed decisions regarding:
- Choosing the best sites for future solar projects.
- Paying attention to climate mitigation and pollution control.
- Creation of technologies that are more adaptive to the actual environmental conditions.
Policy Recommendations
In order to reduce the adverse impact of pollution and rising temperatures on the generation of solar energy, India can consider the following:
Stricter Emission Norms: Impose stricter pollution control of vehicles and industries; control dust in cities and industries.
Air Quality Monitoring: Expand and modernize real-time air pollution monitoring networks to have a clearer view of pollution trends that affect solar generation.
Research and development: Invent new photovoltaic technology, such as heat-resistant and self-cleaning solar panels and improved cooling systems.
Geographic Diversification: Find solar projects in less polluted regions such as the Northeast and the coast.
Floating Solar Projects: Water bodies such as lakes and reservoirs can be used to set up floating solar panels that are less likely to collect dust.
Afforestation Programs: Encourage mass tree planting programs to absorb the pollutants in the air and maintain the natural temperatures.
International Cooperation: Increase international cooperation in climate action, such as the Paris Agreement and the International Solar Alliance (ISA), to obtain funding and technology.
Conclusion
Climate change and air pollution not only have negative effects on human health and ecosystems but also constrain the potential of clean energy sources such as solar power. India should have a two-pronged strategy to meet its renewable energy goals, which should focus on reducing emissions and adapting solar technologies to the realities of the environment. Cleaner air will not only make life better, but it will also power a more sustainable future.