A call for collaboration in solar energy meteorology research

A call for collaboration in solar energy meteorology research

by Simon Mansfield

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 31, 2024

Solar energy has become a leading renewable energy source, renowned for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness in reducing dependency on fossil fuels. However, optimizing solar energy production presents challenges that extend beyond traditional engineering solutions, prompting the rise of a specialized field known as solar energy meteorology.

This interdisciplinary field focuses on evaluating solar resource availability over the long term to establish efficient solar farms, as well as addressing short-term energy fluctuations caused by weather variations. Solar forecasting, a crucial component, helps energy providers effectively balance power systems by predicting energy output on a daily and even second-to-second basis.

Historically, solar energy issues have been tackled separately by atmospheric scientists and solar engineers, each applying their specific expertise. Recognizing the need for an integrated approach, researchers are now calling for collaboration between these fields to address challenges comprehensively.

The journal Advances in Atmospheric Science has recently published a special topic on solar energy meteorology. This issue features five invited articles that explore advances in satellite remote sensing, solar system modeling, photovoltaic power forecasting, thermal balance analysis of solar panels, and strategies for decarbonization.

“In the meteorological community, there is a common misconception that obtaining precise and accurate meteorological data will automatically lead to high-quality solar power estimates,” explained Dazhi Yang, a professor at the Harbin Institute of Technology and one of the guest editors of the special issue.

Yang emphasized the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to address the complex scientific and technical issues within solar energy meteorology. “We stress that as an emerging interdisciplinary field, solar meteorology urgently requires both the atmospheric science and solar engineering communities to set aside disciplinary biases and gain a deeper understanding of the critical scientific and technical issues in interdisciplinary research,” he said.

Xiang’ao Xia, from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a co-editor of the special topic, highlighted the publication’s broader purpose. “An additional aim of this special topic is to share expert perspectives and showcase the latest research advancements in solar meteorology, enabling atmospheric scientists to access relevant information when developing technologies and methods for solar energy applications,” Xia said.

The editors hope this initiative will drive collaboration and innovation, ultimately contributing to the transition from a fossil fuel-dependent energy mix to one dominated by renewables. “Understanding the mechanisms and uncertainties involved in solar energy harvesting, as well as how this energy is delivered to users via the electricity grid, is very crucial,” Yang and Xia noted in their preface to the special topic.

Research Report:Preface to the Special Topic on Solar Energy Meteorology