Impact of Air Pollution on India’s Solar Power Generation
- March 17, 2025
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Impact of Air Pollution on India’s Solar Power Generation
Sub: Env
Sec: Pollution
Why in News
- A study conducted by researchers at IIT Delhi, published in Environmental Research Letters, highlights the adverse effects of air pollution and climate change on India’s solar power generation capacity.
Details:
- India is the fifth-largest producer of solar power globally.
- The government has set a target of generating 50% of electricity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
- Plans to install 500 GW of renewable energy capacity, with one-fifth expected from solar power.
- China leads globally with approximately 390 GW of installed solar capacity.
Impact of Climate and Air Pollution on Solar Power:
- Solar cells require bright sunlight, lower ambient temperature, and airflow for cooling.
- Clouds, aerosols, particulate matter, water vapor, and ozone influence the amount of solar radiation reaching the ground.
- Solar Irradiance: The amount of sunlight reaching solar panels directly influences their efficiency. Reduced sunlight due to cloud cover or atmospheric conditions diminishes performance.
- Ambient Temperature: Higher temperatures can decrease the efficiency of solar cells by affecting their semiconductor properties.
- Dust and Pollution: Accumulation of dust and particulate matter on solar panels obstructs sunlight, leading to reduced energy output.
- NASA’s Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) and India Meteorological Department (IMD) data were used.
Solar Efficiency Projection:
- By mid-century, India’s solar panel efficiency is expected to decline by 2.3%.
- Weaker pollution control, would lead to an even greater efficiency loss.
- Estimated power loss: At least 840 gigawatt-hours annually.
- Rising temperatures further reduce efficiency, as solar panels can heat up beyond the ambient air temperature.
- Northeastern India and Kerala may see an increase in solar power potential due to a projected decrease in cloud cover.
NASA’s CERES (Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System):
- CERES aims to measure the Earth’s radiation budget and understand the role of clouds and aerosols in climate change.
- Since 1997, six CERES instruments have been launched on various satellites, contributing to long-term climate data records.