Impact of Air Pollution on India’s Solar Power Generation

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.