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Coal Clouding Solar Power's Shine
15 May
Summary
- Coal pollution significantly reduces solar energy output worldwide.
- Aerosols from coal plants cut global solar electricity by 5.8% in 2023.
- Hidden energy losses from pollution risk overestimating renewables.
Scientists have issued a stark warning regarding the impact of coal pollution on solar energy capacity. New research indicates that aerosols, tiny particles suspended in the air, significantly reduce the electricity generated by solar photovoltaic (PV) installations worldwide. In 2023 alone, this pollution led to an estimated 5.8% reduction in global solar electricity output, amounting to 111 terawatt-hours of lost energy.
This reduction is nearly one-third of the gains from new solar capacity added annually between 2017 and 2023. The findings highlight a critical, previously unrecognized interaction where emissions from fossil fuel systems directly diminish the performance of renewable energy sources. Lead author Dr. Rui Song noted that as coal and solar expand in parallel, emissions alter radiation, undermining solar generation effectiveness.
The study, which analyzed over 140,000 solar PV installations globally, found this effect particularly pronounced in China, the world's largest solar producer. Around 29% of aerosol-related solar PV losses in China are attributed specifically to coal-fired power plants. Researchers emphasize that overlooking these pollution-induced losses can lead to a systematic overestimation of renewable energy output by governments and businesses.
