Atmospheric
particulate matter (PM) has the potential to diminish
solar energy production by direct and indirect radiative forcing as
well as by being deposited on solar panel surfaces, thereby reducing
solar energy transmittance to photovoltaics. Worldwide solar energy
production is expected to increase more rapidly than any other energy
source into the middle of this century, especially in regions that
experience high levels of dust and/or anthropogenic particulate pollutants,
including large areas of India, China, and the Arabian Peninsula.
Here we combine field measurements and global modeling to estimate
the influence of dust and PM related to anthropogenic sources (e.g.,
fossil and biomass fuel combustion) on solar electricity generation.
Results indicate that solar energy production is currently reduced
by ∼17–25% across these regions, with roughly equal
contributions from ambient PM and PM deposited on photovoltaic surfaces.
Reductions due to dust and anthropogenic PM are comparable in northern
India, whereas over eastern China, anthropogenic PM dominates. On
the basis of current solar generation capacity, PM is responsible
for ∼1 and ∼11 GW of solar power reduction in India
and China, respectively, underscoring the large role that PM plays
in reducing solar power generation output.
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