The development of renewable energy sources is putting more pressure on electricity systems. In the process, projections of how much solar power will be supplied into the grid must be precise and feasible. In addition to clouds, aerosol particles significantly impact the amount of electricity generated by solar systems. Current air quality models are a helpful starting point for predicting solar energy production. They should, however, be improved further.
A new study has contributed to the evidence for the argument mentioned above. They investigated the impact of aerosols on solar system output to improve grid utilization and make the energy transition more secure. The research may indirectly boost the Air Quality Monitoring Equipment Market by demonstrating their importance in enhancing solar power estimates. This is because; it provides a new and vital application for the equipment.
For one year, the researchers examined the CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service) reanalysis with actual solar radiation measurement data acquired from 25 DWD sites in Germany. They revealed that clouds and greenhouse gases are not the only factors influencing the atmosphere's temperature. Aerosol particles play a significant influence as well. The microscopic particles (also known as particulate matter) float in the air, reflecting and absorbing some of the sun's energy despite their small size. The extent to which this criterion influences the amount of electricity generated by photovoltaic (PV) systems is currently unknown.
Experts from atmospheric science and renewable energies collaborated in this multidisciplinary research. They have created innovative energy meteorological methods for estimating irradiation and PV production at the plant level and testing them with real-world partners.
The researchers suggest that aerosol's radiative influence should undoubtedly be factored into daily solar power projections. The CAMS model from Copernicus, the European climate monitoring program, is a solid starting point. However, it needs to be developed more so that grid operators can better handle the growing share of electricity generated by photovoltaic systems in their power networks. As a result, the primary research contributes to the energy transition while also emphasizing the societal importance of aerosol research beyond air quality.
The study also highlights the importance of ground measurements of solar radiation as a reference because actual solar energy on solar arrays varies widely and can only be predicted in part by air quality models thus far. Hence, the published analysis is a significant step towards a reliable solar weather forecast, but there is still a long way to go.
Related Reports:
Global Indoor Air Quality Monitoring Device Market Growth 2020-2025
Global Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System Market Growth 2020-2025