A recent analysis from researchers at the Universities of Malaga and Murcia has found that solar radiation in Europe has increased by 2% per decade from 1994 to 2023, largely due to reduced aerosol pollution and climate change. Notably, the European Midwest, which includes parts of northeastern France, Belgium, and western Germany, experienced a nearly 4% increase over the same period, with even more pronounced growth in the last 20 years.
The study attributes about 80% of the increase in solar radiation to changes in cloud coverage and opacity, with aerosol pollution contributing the remaining 20%. While aerosol pollution has declined over 30 years, its role has become more significant, affecting cloud properties and allowing more sunlight to reach the ground. Lead researcher José Antonio Luis Arias indicated that this atmospheric transparency leads to higher surface temperatures and more solar energy available, which is beneficial for solar power production but may plateau in the next 30 years.
The implications extend beyond energy, potentially affecting agriculture, tourism, and broader economic patterns. Dr. Christopher Williams noted that while increased sunlight generally raises temperatures, various factors influence this relationship. As air quality improves and aerosol levels decrease, the full warming effects of greenhouse gas emissions can be expected to emerge, which may intensify climate change impacts.
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