Urban haze and photovoltaics

Abstract

Urban haze is a multifaceted threat. Foremost a major health hazard, it also affects the passage of light through the lower atmosphere. In this paper, we present a study addressing the impact of haze on the performance pf photovoltaic installations in cities. Using long-term, high resolution field data from Delhi and Singapore we derive an empirical relation between reduction in insolation and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration. This approach enables a straightforward way to estimate air pollution related losses to photovoltaic power generation anywhere on the planet. For Delhi, we find that insolation received by silicon PV panels was reduced by 11.5% ± 1.5% or 200 kWh/m 2 per year between 2016 and 2017 due to air pollution. We extended this analysis to 16 more cities around the planet and estimated insolation reductions ranging from 2.0% (Singapore) to 9.1% (Beijing). Using spectrum data from Singapore, we projected how other photovoltaic technologies would be affected and found an additional reduction compared to silicon of between 23% relative for GaAs and 42% for a 1.64 eV perovskite material. Considering current installation targets and local prices for electricity, we project that annual losses in revenue from photovoltaic installations could exceed 20 million USD for Delhi alone, indicating that annual economic damage from air pollution to photovoltaic site operators and investors worldwide could be billions of dollars. Motivation:In June 2013, three of the authors of this paper, I. M. Peters, L. Haohui and A. Nobre, lived in Singapore and were witnesses of the most severe haze event to have occurred in the city to date. For a couple of days, the pollutant standard index (PSI) jumped from its usual value of about 25 to over 200. The normally clear view from our office windows on the sixth floor became filled with an impenetrable fog that swallowed up neighboring buildings. Face masks were sold out in a matter of hours. People were panicking. The event, in many ways, served as a wake-up call. Given our research focus on photovoltaic installations, we wanted to investigate the impact of haze on solar cell performance. From the reduced visibility it was evident that haze must have an effect, and we set out to quantify it. This paper summarizes our understanding so far. We have since learned about the devastating effects of urban air pollution on human health. This paper adds another aspect -the detrimental effect on photovoltaic power generation due to the reduction of light received. We hope that, in a small way, we can help raise awareness and make progress to improve the quality of life in what more and more people call home in the 21 st century -cities.

Solar Energy Estimations in India Using Remote Sensing Technologies and Validation with Sun Photometers in Urban Areas

“…For DNI especially, there are no better statistics for real-time calculated irradiance [73], as the uncertainty of the atmospheric inputs is particularly high in Southern Asia (CAMS AOD and INSAT-3D COT). For GHI, the results were not so good compared to the bibliography because we dealt with the extreme conditions of monsoon [73,75,76], continuous fog [77,78], and haze [79][80][81]. The relevant studies that present better results were located mainly in Europe, where the climate is much more stable with no extreme atmospheric phenomena [27,29,[82][83][84].…”

Assessment of multi-air emissions: Case of particulate matter (dust), SO2, NO and CO2 from iron and steel industry of China

“…Due to the spate of haze, particular attention has been paid to PM emission (Peters et al, 2018). Research on the environmental impact assessment of PM is mainly focused on the emission concentration of PM.…”

A Hybrid Spatio-Temporal Prediction Model for Solar Photovoltaic Generation Using Numerical Weather Data and Satellite Images

“…Recently, air pollution caused by PM has been another environmental issue in South Korea [20]. The increase in the concentration of PM in the atmosphere not only has a fatal effect on the human body, such as the respiratory organs, but also reduces the irradiance reaching solar panels due to the scattering of the solar radiation [21]. Most of the previous studies analyzed the effects of accumulation various types of dust as well as PM on solar panels [22][23][24][25][26], however, this study aims at investigating the effect of PM concentration distribution in the atmosphere on the solar PV generation.…”