The quantity of solar radiation available that can be economically converted by the solar panels to electricity is showing an “alarming decreasing trend” in several locations in India.
Global solar radiation showed a generally decreasing trend from 1981-2006.
1971-2000 showed greater dimming compared to 1981-2006.
However, on the whole, there was a reversal in trends after 2001 with the exact causes unclear.
While increased aerosol load and clouding are said to be causative factors, installing more efficient solar panels could help counter this.
Aerosols absorb the sunlight and deflect it away from the ground and they can also precipitate the formation of dense clouds, that again block sunlight.
The efficiency of solar panels is significantly influenced by the amount of sunlight incident on them.
India’s largest solar parks are located in the north-west, particularly Gujarat and Rajasthan.
India’s installed solar power capacity is about 81 GW (1 GW is 1,000 megawatt), or roughly 17% of the total installed electricity.