Alarming Trend: Decreasing Solar Radiation in India

• 29 Apr 2024

In April 2024, India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) analysis revealed a worrying decline in solar radiation across India, attributed to increased aerosol load and clouding.

Key Points

• Impact on Solar Panel Efficiency: Aerosols absorb sunlight and deflect it away from the ground, while dense clouds further obstruct sunlight, significantly influencing the efficiency of solar panels.
• Study Methodology: Scientists analyzed radiation trends at 13 stations with continuous data records from 1985 to 2019, observing a general decline in solar photovoltaic (SPV) potential across all stations.
• Regional Trends: Major cities and solar parks in northwest India, particularly Gujarat and Rajasthan, are experiencing a decrease in SPV potential, raising concerns for India's solar energy targets.
• Ambitious Solar Energy Plans: India aims to source 500 GW of electricity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, with solar power contributing a significant portion, necessitating rapid capacity expansion.
• Challenges in Capacity Expansion: Despite ambitious targets, India's solar capacity addition has been sluggish in recent years, hindering progress towards renewable energy goals.