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Context

A study by IIT Delhi highlights how solar radiation, air pollution & temperature variations affect India solar energy capacity, emphasizing  need for better planning  & climate mitigation strategies.

Key Highlights

The study conducted by IIT Delhi & published in Environmental Research Letters (Nov 2024) examines how air pollution & climate change impact solar power generation in India.

It provides insights into how solar radiation, temperature variations & particulate matter affect efficiency of solar panels.

Air Pollution  & Solar Power Efficiency:

Air pollution significantly reduces efficiency of solar panels by lowering  amount of sunlight that reaches Earth surface.
Primary pollutants responsible for reducing solar radiation:

Particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10)

Aerosols  & dust

Water vapor  & other pollutants that scatter  & absorb sunlight

The study found that on hazy or polluted days less sunlight reaches solar panels lowering energy output.
The efficiency of solar panels in polluted regions is expected to decline further if pollution control measures are not implemented.

Climate Change  & Rising Temperatures:

Higher temperatures reduce solar panel efficiency since excessive heat affects  conversion of sunlight into electricity.
As  climate warms higher ambient temperatures will cause panels to lose efficiency due to increased resistance in photovoltaic cells.
The study found that temperature had  second-largest impact on solar efficiency after solar radiation.
The researchers suggest that better cooling technologies  & advanced panel materials will be required to mitigate this effect.

Data Sources  & Methodology:

The study analyzed historical data from 1985 to 2014  & used climate models to predict changes from 2041 to 2050.
The Clouds  &  Earth Radiant Energy System (CERES) dataset was used for tracking changes in solar radiation  & cloud cover.
The study compared two different climate scenarios:

A scenario with strong pollution control measures.

A scenario with continued high pollution levels.
In  high pollution scenario solar efficiency was significantly lower due to high aerosol concentrations  & reduced solar radiation.
In  low pollution scenario solar efficiency was higher demonstrating  importance of air quality improvements.

Regional Variations in Solar Power Generation in India:

Some regions may see a decline in solar power efficiency while others may see an increase.
Expected decline:

Northern India, particularly Delhi, Uttar Pradesh  & Punjab will suffer from reduced solar generation due to high levels of pollution.

Western India including Rajasthan  & Gujarat may also see declines due to both higher temperatures  & air pollution levels.

Expected improvement:

Northeastern India  & Kerala may experience an increase in solar power efficiency due to a predicted decline in cloud cover in these areas.
The findings suggest that solar energy planning must be region-specific considering pollution trends  & climate conditions.

Policy Implications  & Recommendations:

Better planning for solar power projects:

The study provides data to help governments  & industries select locations for future solar projects.

Policymakers can use these models to determine most efficient areas for solar installation.

Need for pollution control measures:

The study emphasizes that reducing air pollution will directly benefit solar power efficiency.

Encourages stricter regulations on industrial emissions, vehicle pollution & construction dust.

Technological advancements required:

Researchers suggest developing solar panels that are more resistant to high temperatures.

Self cleaning solar panels could help reduce efficiency losses due to dust accumulation.

Climate action  & energy security:

The study reinforces  need for climate policies that address both renewable energy expansion  & air pollution control.

Promotes sustainability strategies for India long term energy security.

Future Outlook  & Conclusion:

India currently gets 50% of its electricity from non-fossil fuel sources with a target to add 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Solar energy will play a major role but climate change  & air pollution could slow down this progress if not addressed.
The study highlights  importance of clean air for maximizing solar energy potential, reinforcing that reducing emissions will have dual benefits for public health  & energy efficiency.
Government  & industry leaders must integrate air quality improvement into energy planning to ensure India renewable energy goals are met.

For more information, please refer to IAS GYAN

Sources:

THE HINDU