Solar power production undercut by coal pollution
Summary
A new study finds that pollution from coal burning and other sources reduces the amount of electricity generated by solar panels worldwide. Aerosols, tiny particles in the air from burning coal and other fuels, scatter sunlight and lower solar power output by hundreds of terawatt-hours a year.Key Facts
- Coal burning releases sulfur dioxide aerosols and other particles that pollute the air.
- Aerosols in the atmosphere reduce sunlight reaching solar panels, lowering their electricity production.
- In 2023, over 25% of possible solar power was lost due to clouds and aerosols, with aerosols causing around 6% of losses.
- This loss equals more than 500 terawatt-hours, roughly the annual output of 84 large coal power plants.
- Coal pollution produces nearly half of the aerosols that affect solar power worldwide.
- In China, aerosols reduce solar power by about 7.7%, offsetting up to half of its yearly solar growth.
- The U.S. experiences smaller losses from aerosols (about 3%) because coal plants are located away from solar-rich regions.
- China is improving the situation by replacing older coal plants with cleaner technology to reduce pollution.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.