Solar Farms in India are Losing Efficiency Due to Extreme Heat and Air Pollution: However, After Removal of the SPP5-8.5 Climate Scenario, Lower Efficiency Loss is More Likely

       Extreme heat appears to be increasing in India, where farmers have noted that the heat is hotter, comes earlier, and stays longer. For PV solar panels, efficiency drops when it gets too hot, typically in the hottest parts of the day. Thus, panel temperatures are monitored. A study published in November 2024 in Environmental Research Letters by scientists at the Center for Atmospheric Sciences, IIT Delhi, explores how rising temperatures and air pollution may affect solar output in the coming decades.

     The study compared historical conditions between 1985 and 2014 with projections for 2041–2050. The study concluded that PV solar panel efficiency could decline by up to 3.3% by midcentury, which could result in annual electricity losses of between 600 and 840 gigawatt-hours (GWh).

     The study includes the effects of heat and particulate air pollution. Particulate pollution in the air dims the sun, which means less will be received by the panels. It appears that the study also includes “soiling” of the panels as well, when dust is deposited on the panels, which is common in arid environments. India often has high levels of particulate pollution. Autumn crop residue burning in India is a major source of seasonal particulate pollution, and it is not uncommon for it to be bad enough to close schools and some businesses.

     India has an ambitious goal of installing 500GW of renewable energy by 2030 from just over 100GW installed now.

     The article in WhoWhatWhy notes that there are some efforts to make solar panels less affected by heat:

“Manufacturers are developing advanced solar cells capable of operating more efficiently under high-temperature conditions. Researchers are also exploring cooling systems, improved panel materials, and new installation designs that enhance airflow and reduce heat buildup.”

     Panels may be cleaned to remove dust. Automated cleaning systems are utilized in the more arid regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan.

     The abstract of the paper is given below, along with some important figures. It can be remarked that the higher end of the predictions includes the SSP5-8.5 scenario that has recently been abandoned by the IPCC as implausible. That means the higher end of the predictions is implausible as well. That means efficiency losses are likely to remain within the 2-2.5% range and power generation losses closer to 600GWh.

  

 

 

References:

 

Feedback loop threatens to undermine solar power as a solution to global warming. Tauseef Ahmad. WhoWhatWhy. June 11, 2026. Feedback loop threatens to undermine solar power as a solution to global warming

Future photovoltaic potential in India: navigating the interplay between air pollution control and climate change mitigation. Sushovan Ghosh, Dilip Ganguly, Sagnik Dey and Subhojit Ghoshal Chowdhury. Published 8 November 2024. Environmental Research Letters, Volume 19, Number 12. Future photovoltaic potential in India: navigating the interplay between air pollution control and climate change mitigation - IOPscience