Study: Air Pollution Linked to Decades-Long Fluctuations in Global Solar Radiation

An international research team has observed significant decadal variations in the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface. The study, published in Advances in Atmospheric Science on March 15, reveals a "dimming" period from the 1950s to the 1980s, succeeded by a partial "brightening" phase.

The research indicates a correlation between the dimming phase and increased air pollution levels. Conversely, the brightening trend aligns with the adoption of cleaner energy technologies and policies aimed at reducing air pollutants.

Notably, solar energy in China experienced a considerable decline from the 1960s to the 1990s, with a modest recovery in recent years. The researchers propose that reversing the dimming trend could lead to a substantial increase in solar power generation potential worldwide.