Saharan dust clouds pose growing risk to solar power stability across Europe

by Erica Marchand

Paris, France (SPX) Apr 10, 2025

As Europe increasingly depends on solar energy to reach climate and energy independence goals, a persistent atmospheric issue is adding uncertainty to the equation: Saharan dust. Research presented at the European Geosciences Union General Assembly (EGU25) highlights how windborne mineral dust from North Africa is significantly impacting photovoltaic (PV) energy generation and complicating forecasting models.

Dr. Gyorgy Varga and a team of researchers from Hungarian and other European institutions examined data from over 46 Saharan dust events recorded between 2019 and 2023. Their findings cover both Central Europe, including Hungary, and Southern European nations such as Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Greece. The researchers found that these dust intrusions disrupt the accuracy of conventional PV output forecasts, which often rely on fixed aerosol assumptions and fail to respond dynamically to real-time atmospheric changes.

Each year, the Sahara emits billions of tonnes of fine dust into the air, with tens of millions of tonnes reaching Europe. These particles reduce surface-level solar irradiance by scattering and absorbing sunlight and by increasing cloud formation, thereby lowering PV efficiency. According to the study, current forecasting systems lack the sensitivity to handle these transient events.

To improve predictive reliability, the researchers advocate incorporating real-time dust measurements and aerosol-cloud interaction data into solar forecasting models. “There’s a growing need for dynamic forecasting methods that account for both meteorological and mineralogical factors,” says Varga. “Without them, the risk of underperformance and grid instability will only grow as solar becomes a larger part of our energy mix.”

The study also highlights physical degradation issues caused by dust, such as contamination and surface erosion of solar panels. These effects can diminish long-term efficiency and increase maintenance demands. The research is part of wider European and Hungarian initiatives to enhance climate adaptability and optimize renewable energy systems, with support from the National Research, Development and Innovation Office (FK138692), the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and the EU-funded National Multidisciplinary Laboratory for Climate Change.

Research Report:The shadow of the wind: photovoltaic power generation under Europe’s dusty skies

Related Links

European Geosciences Union

All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com

Laminated structure boosts interface stability in inverted perovskite solar cells

by Simon Mansfield

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Apr 10, 2025

A research partnership between the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has led to the development of a laminated microstructure interface that significantly enhances the efficiency and stability of inverted perovskite solar cells.

Perovskite solar cells are regarded as strong candidates to succeed silicon-based cells across applications like portable devices, grid systems, and aerospace technologies. Their appeal lies in their high efficiency, low production cost, and design flexibility. Among their configurations, inverted perovskite structures offer improved material stability. However, these devices are still limited by performance issues related to defect accumulation at the critical interface between the perovskite layer and the fullerene-based electron transport layer.

Led by Prof. Zhou Yuanyuan from HKUST’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Prof. Cai Songhua of PolyU’s Department of Applied Physics, the team focused on engineering a novel laminated interface. This interface comprises three sequential layers: a molecular passivation layer, a fullerene derivative layer, and a two-dimensional perovskite layer. This tripartite structure significantly reduces defect density and improves energy alignment between layers.

The improved interface results in superior device performance and greater durability under conditions such as prolonged light exposure and high humidity. According to Dr. Guo Pengfei, co-first author and postdoctoral fellow at HKUST, “We introduced the concept of composite materials into the interface design of optoelectronic devices, allowing the synergistic effects of each layer in this new interface to achieve results that are unattainable with traditional interface engineering.”

Prof. Zhou emphasized the importance of understanding material behavior at the micro and atomic levels. “Perovskite is a soft lattice material. We can create microstructural features in this type of material that are difficult to achieve with conventional materials. Our aim is to understand the formation and mechanisms of these microstructures at the nanoscale, or even at the atomic scale, to drive device innovation based on this fundamental understanding.”

Research Report:Synthesis of a lattice-resolved laminate-structured perovskite heterointerface

Related Links

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com

US solar tariffs could drive Asia transition boom

By Sara HUSSEIN

Bangkok (AFP) May 4, 2025

Massive planned US duties on solar panels made in Southeast Asia could be a chance for the region to ramp up its own long-stalled energy transition, experts say.

Earlier this month, Washington announced plans for hefty duties on solar panels made in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.

The levies follow an investigation, launched before US President Donald Trump took office, into “unfair practices” in the countries, particularly by Chinese-headquartered firms.

If approved next month, they will pile upon tariffs already imposed by the Trump administration, including blanket 10-percent levies for most countries, and 145 percent on Chinese-made goods.

For the US market, the consequences are likely to be severe. China makes eight out of every 10 solar panels globally, and controls 80 percent of every stage of the manufacturing process.

The new tariffs “will practically make solar exports to US impossible commercially”, said Putra Adhiguna, managing director at the Energy Shift Institute think tank.

Southeast Asia accounted for nearly 80 percent of US solar panel imports in 2024.

And while investment in solar production has ramped up in the United States in recent years, the market still relies heavily on imported components.

For Chinese manufacturers, already dealing with a saturated domestic market, the raft of tariffs is potentially very bad news.

Many shifted operations to Southeast Asia hoping to avoid punitive measures imposed by Washington and the European Union as they try to protect and nurture domestic solar industries.

The proposed new duties range from around 40 percent for some Malaysian exports to an eye-watering 3,521 percent for some Cambodia-based manufacturers.

– Tariffs ‘accelerate’ transition –

But there may be a silver lining for the region, explained Ben McCarron, managing director at Asia Research & Engagement.

“The tariffs and trade war are likely to accelerate the energy transition in Southeast Asia,” he said.

China will “supercharge efforts” in regional markets and push for policy and implementation plans to “enable fast adoption of green energy across the region”, driven by its exporters.

Analysts have long warned that countries in the region are moving too slowly to transition from planet-warming fossil fuels like coal.

“At the current pace, it (Southeast Asia) risks missing out on the opportunities provided by the declining costs of wind and solar, now cheaper than fossil fuels,” said energy think tank Ember in a report last year.

For example, Malaysia relied on fossil fuels for over 80 percent of its electricity generation last year.

It aims to generate 24 percent from renewables by 2030, a target that has been criticised as out of step with global climate goals.

The tariff regime represents a double opportunity for the region, explained Muyi Yang, senior energy analyst at Ember.

So far, the local solar industry has been “largely opportunistic, focused on leveraging domestic resources or labour advantages for export gains”, he told AFP.

Cut off from the US market, it could instead focus on local energy transitions, speeding green energy uptake locally and driving a new market that “could serve as a natural hedge against external volatility”.

Still, replacing the US market will not be easy, given its size and the relatively nascent state of renewables in the region.

“Success hinges on turning this export-led momentum into a homegrown cleantech revolution,” said Yang.

“Clearance prices” may be attractive to some, but countries in the region and beyond may also be cautious about a flood of solar, said Adhiguna.

Major markets like Indonesia and India already have measures in place intended to favour domestic solar production.

“Many will hesitate to import massively, prioritising trade balance and aims to create local green jobs,” he said.

Related Links

All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com