India is losing sunlight. A new study by six Indian scientists highlights that, over the past three decades, the number of hours of direct sunlight reaching the Earth's surface has steadily decreased nationwide due to clouds, aerosols, and local weather conditions. Data from 20 weather stations spanning from 1988 to 2018 showcases a consistent decline in sunshine hours, with only northeastern India experiencing a brief seasonal improvement. The steepest declines were recorded in northern regions like Amritsar and Kolkata, alongside the Himalayan belt and the west coast, especially Mumbai.
This worsening situation correlates sharply with India’s air pollution crisis, positioning the country among the top 10 most polluted globally—a problem rooted in rapid urbanization and industrial growth tracing back to the 1990s. The increased use of fossil fuels, vehicle emissions, and biomass burning release aerosols into the atmosphere, obscuring sunlight.
A seasonal analysis reveals significant sunshine increases from October to May but drastic reductions during the June-July monsoon. The persistent smog during winter contributes to scattering aerosols that also diminish sunshine hours. Although October to May showcases longer sunshine durations, cleaner air is not necessarily implied; the measurement reflects mainly clearer skies, while hazy conditions prevail during winter.
According to prominent scientists involved in the research, airborne pollutants have diminished the sunlight reaching the ground by approximately 13%, with clouds inducing an extra 31-44% reduction in solar radiation from 1993 to 2022.
This trend jeopardizes India's agricultural yield and solar energy potential, as solar now constitutes 47% of the total renewable energy capacity. The government aims to achieve a target of 500GW of renewable energy by 2030, with over 100GW of solar already installed. However, a decline in available sunlight poses a serious challenge. Air pollution could cut solar panel output by a staggering 12-41%, translating to losses of $245-835 million in energy production annually.
Improving air quality could reverse these trends, potentially yielding an increase of 6-28 terawatt hours in annual solar energy production—enough to power millions of homes. The implications of contaminated air extend beyond energy production; it negatively influences agricultural outputs across the country, notably causing substantial losses in key crops like rice and wheat.
Globally, rising air pollution and shifting weather patterns are dimming skies, not just in India. Historical comparisons show that Europe and China have encountered similar challenges, with sunshine hours significantly impacted by industrial emissions and pollution patterns. Fortunately, there's potential for recovery as scientists observe an increase in solar radiation since the 1980s due to improving air quality.
To sum up, as India grapples with the double-edged sword of industrial growth and environmental impact, sunlight seems to slip through the cracks, compelling dire consequences for agricultural productivity and renewable energy aspirations.
This worsening situation correlates sharply with India’s air pollution crisis, positioning the country among the top 10 most polluted globally—a problem rooted in rapid urbanization and industrial growth tracing back to the 1990s. The increased use of fossil fuels, vehicle emissions, and biomass burning release aerosols into the atmosphere, obscuring sunlight.
A seasonal analysis reveals significant sunshine increases from October to May but drastic reductions during the June-July monsoon. The persistent smog during winter contributes to scattering aerosols that also diminish sunshine hours. Although October to May showcases longer sunshine durations, cleaner air is not necessarily implied; the measurement reflects mainly clearer skies, while hazy conditions prevail during winter.
According to prominent scientists involved in the research, airborne pollutants have diminished the sunlight reaching the ground by approximately 13%, with clouds inducing an extra 31-44% reduction in solar radiation from 1993 to 2022.
This trend jeopardizes India's agricultural yield and solar energy potential, as solar now constitutes 47% of the total renewable energy capacity. The government aims to achieve a target of 500GW of renewable energy by 2030, with over 100GW of solar already installed. However, a decline in available sunlight poses a serious challenge. Air pollution could cut solar panel output by a staggering 12-41%, translating to losses of $245-835 million in energy production annually.
Improving air quality could reverse these trends, potentially yielding an increase of 6-28 terawatt hours in annual solar energy production—enough to power millions of homes. The implications of contaminated air extend beyond energy production; it negatively influences agricultural outputs across the country, notably causing substantial losses in key crops like rice and wheat.
Globally, rising air pollution and shifting weather patterns are dimming skies, not just in India. Historical comparisons show that Europe and China have encountered similar challenges, with sunshine hours significantly impacted by industrial emissions and pollution patterns. Fortunately, there's potential for recovery as scientists observe an increase in solar radiation since the 1980s due to improving air quality.
To sum up, as India grapples with the double-edged sword of industrial growth and environmental impact, sunlight seems to slip through the cracks, compelling dire consequences for agricultural productivity and renewable energy aspirations.
