Source Sector Mitigation of Solar Energy Generation Losses Attributable to Particulate Matter Pollution.

ABSTRACT: Particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere and deposited on solar photovoltaic (PV) panels reduce PV energy generation. Reducing anthropogenic PM sources will therefore increase carbon-free energy generation and as a cobenefit will improve surface air quality. However, we lack a global understanding of the sectors that would be the most effective at achieving the necessary reductions in PM sources. Here we combine well-evaluated models of solar PV performance and atmospheric composition to show that deep cuts in air pollutant emissions from the residential, on-road, and energy sectors are the most effective approaches to mitigate PM-induced PV energy losses over East and South Asia, and the Tibetan Plateau, Central Asia, and the Arabian Peninsula, and Western Siberia, respectively. Using 20

SUBMITTER: Yao F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9228073 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature