Shedding light on solar farm impacts in deserts through energy meteorology

Shedding light on solar farm impacts in deserts through energy meteorology
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jan 06, 2025

Utility-scale solar farms, often deployed in desert habitats, are a cost-effective way to generate power compared to rooftop solar panels. However, these large installations interact with sensitive desert ecosystems, prompting researchers to explore their environmental effects through the growing field of "energy meteorology."

A study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences by Professor Carlos Coimbra of the University of California San Diego investigates the thermal interactions between solar farms and their surrounding environments. This work examines how solar farm operations influence local temperature and humidity and how these environmental factors affect the farms themselves.

Energy meteorology traditionally focuses on the impact of weather on power systems. Professor Coimbra's research broadens this scope by assessing the reciprocal effects of solar plants on local climates. By calculating thermal balances specific to solar panels' material properties, the study derives relationships between complex variables, such as convective heat transfer coefficients and radiative fluxes. These calculations enhance understanding of how solar farms modify their environments and how these modifications can be accurately measured or modeled.

Additionally, the study introduces a novel method for classifying regional microclimates based on the optical depth of cloudy atmospheres. This classification can inform solar farm design and operation, complementing conventional cloudiness and radiation indices used for resource planning.

Professor Coimbra highlights the importance of rigorous scientific inquiry into solar energy's environmental effects. "It behooves us in the solar energy research community to answer concerns and criticisms that the solar power industry encounters with the best possible science," he states. While the overall thermal impact of solar farms may be negligible or even positive, the research community must address discrepancies in current findings and focus on fundamental thermal processes.

This research aims to inspire both solar engineers and energy meteorologists to delve deeper into the environmental dynamics of utility-scale solar installations. As Professor Coimbra emphasizes, the study serves as a foundational guide for exploring energy meteorology's potential to improve solar farm sustainability and environmental compatibility.

Research Report:Energy Meteorology for the Evaluation of Solar Farm Thermal Impacts on Desert Habitats