A new UK study reveals that coal pollution significantly reduces solar power generation by scattering sunlight with aerosols, causing a 6% loss in potential solar energy production globally in 2023. The research, which combined satellite imagery and weather data, found that aerosols from coal burning and other sources, along with clouds, resulted in over 500 terawatt-hours of lost solar power generation - equivalent to the annual output of 84 coal plants. This highlights an underappreciated economic and environmental cost of continued coal use beyond its direct emissions.
Background
Solar power is a key component of global efforts to transition to clean energy, but its efficiency depends on unobstructed access to sunlight. Coal combustion is known to produce significant air pollution, including aerosols that can affect solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- May 16, 2026 at 04:36 AM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10