The presence of solar energy in our lives through the installation of photovoltaic panels is becoming more and more noticeable. The consequences of climate change are more than evident, so both companies and individuals have begun to take energy transition measures. Solar geoengineering has opted for a new technology model that consists of injecting sulfur acid particles into the atmosphere, which would form a thin layer that would reflect part of the solar radiation back into space, creating a kind of planetary sunshade.
In technical terms, the idea is to achieve atmospheric sun shading, simulating the effect of volcanic eruptions. However, this proposal does not seem to be entirely valid, since a NOAA study showed that after the eruption of Pinatubo, the most important solar energy-collecting plants in Florida experienced a 20% drop. Perhaps the idea of generating a kind of umbrella over the planet is not such a good idea. Experts indicate that the solution would be to combine different types of clean energy and not rely on just one.
Presence of solar energy in our lives
The effects of climate change are more than evident to everyone. More and more locations are affected by the consequences, which are increasingly disastrous. It is not only the increase in temperatures, but also the virulent storms, rains, snowfalls, fires, earthquakes, droughts and other phenomena that know no limits. That is why both companies and individuals are increasingly inclined to start their energy transition, incorporating clean and sustainable energies to their supplies.
Reducing solar radiation to combat climate change
Seems like a no-brainer, doesn’t it? Reducing incoming solar radiation to combat climate change. Well, this is what experts have proposed; a non-photovoltaic investment that could help in this task. The name of this proposal is called atmospheric solar protection, which basically involves reflecting part of the light that reaches the earth’s surface, in order to reduce the temperature. How is this effect achieved?
This geoengineering technique consists of injecting sulfur dioxide particles into the stratosphere. What is this intended to do? To mimic the behavior of volcanic eruptions, which have been shown to reduce the earth’s temperature. These sulfur particles form a layer around the planet that reflects radiation back into space, like an umbrella. According to experts, this could be a temporary solution, but not a permanent one. It would help to reduce the temperature while solutions are still being sought and developed.
Pros and cons
As everything, it has a series of advantages and disadvantages, which we will see below.
Advantages:
- Global temperature is reduced.
- Extreme weather phenomena are reduced.
- Crops and ecosystems recover their balance.
- Possible slowing of polar ice melting.
Disadvantages:
- Continued ocean acidification.
- Difficulty in predicting impacts.
- Secondary effects on solar energy.
How can it possibly have negative effects on itself? Yes. NOAA revealed in its study after the Pinatubo eruption that there was a 20% decrease in the power generation of the most important solar plants in California. This occurred because the panels need direct and intense light, so blocking a portion of the radiation would cause our solar energy source to reduce its supply capacity.
Need to keep thinking
Despite appearing to be a good solution a priori, sun protection has flaws that so far have not been remedied. Experts say that, in any case, it would be a temporary remedy as long as it is an emergency resource. They argue that the future of the energy transition and the planet’s supply of clean and renewable energies cannot depend solely on the use of a single source. Nature provides us with options that we must learn to combine and use to obtain mutual benefits.
Did you know that we could be without signal this year due to solar flares?