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Vulnerability of solar energy infrastructure and output to climate change

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  • Anthony Patt
  • Stefan Pfenninger
  • Johan Lilliestam

Abstract

This paper reviews the potential vulnerability of solar energy systems to future extreme event risks as a consequence of climate change. We describe the three main technologies likely to be used to harness sunlight—thermal heating, photovoltaic (PV), and concentrating solar power (CSP)—and identify critical climate vulnerabilities for each one. We then compare these vulnerabilities with assessments of future changes in mean conditions and extreme event risk levels. We do not identify any vulnerabilities severe enough to halt development of any of the technologies mentioned, although we do find a potential value in exploring options for making PV cells more heat-resilient and for improving the design of cooling systems for CSP. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013

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  • Anthony Patt & Stefan Pfenninger & Johan Lilliestam, 2013. "Vulnerability of solar energy infrastructure and output to climate change," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 121(1), pages 93-102, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:121:y:2013:i:1:p:93-102
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-013-0887-0
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    Cited by:

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    2. Engeland, Kolbjørn & Borga, Marco & Creutin, Jean-Dominique & François, Baptiste & Ramos, Maria-Helena & Vidal, Jean-Philippe, 2017. "Space-time variability of climate variables and intermittent renewable electricity production – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 600-617.
    3. Chen, Hao & Liu, Simin & Liu, Qiufeng & Shi, Xueli & Wei, Wendong & Han, Rong & Küfeoğlu, Sinan, 2021. "Estimating the impacts of climate change on electricity supply infrastructure: A case study of China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    4. Al Afif, Rafat & Ayed, Yasmine & Maaitah, Omer Nawaf, 2023. "Feasibility and optimal sizing analysis of hybrid renewable energy systems: A case study of Al-Karak, Jordan," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 229-249.
    5. Labordena, Mercè & Patt, Anthony & Bazilian, Morgan & Howells, Mark & Lilliestam, Johan, 2017. "Impact of political and economic barriers for concentrating solar power in Sub-Saharan Africa," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 52-72.
    6. Sawadogo, Windmanagda & Abiodun, Babatunde J. & Okogbue, Emmanuel C., 2020. "Impacts of global warming on photovoltaic power generation over West Africa," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 263-277.
    7. Perera, A.T.D. & Hong, Tianzhen, 2023. "Vulnerability and resilience of urban energy ecosystems to extreme climate events: A systematic review and perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    8. Saidan, Motasem & Albaali, Abdul Ghani & Alasis, Emil & Kaldellis, John K., 2016. "Experimental study on the effect of dust deposition on solar photovoltaic panels in desert environment," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 499-505.
    9. Adithya Thaduri & Diego Galar & Uday Kumar, 2020. "Space weather climate impacts on railway infrastructure," International Journal of System Assurance Engineering and Management, Springer;The Society for Reliability, Engineering Quality and Operations Management (SREQOM),India, and Division of Operation and Maintenance, Lulea University of Technology, Sweden, vol. 11(2), pages 267-281, July.
    10. Guo, Jingxian & Li, Runkui & Cai, Panli & Xiao, Zhen & Fu, Haiyu & Guo, Tongze & Wang, Tianyi & Zhang, Xiaoping & Wang, Jiancheng & Song, Xianfeng, 2024. "Risk in solar energy: Spatio-temporal instability and extreme low-light events in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 359(C).
    11. Markku Rummukainen, 2013. "Climate change: changing means and changing extremes," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 121(1), pages 3-13, November.
    12. Simone Lucatello & Roberto Sánchez, 2022. "Climate Change in North America: Risks, Impacts, and Adaptation. A Reflection Based on the IPCC Report AR6 - 2022," Remef - Revista Mexicana de Economía y Finanzas Nueva Época REMEF (The Mexican Journal of Economics and Finance), Instituto Mexicano de Ejecutivos de Finanzas, IMEF, vol. 17(4), pages 1-18, Octubre -.
    13. Park, Changyong & Shin, Seok-Woo & Kim, Gayoung & Cha, Dong-Hyun & Min, Seung-Ki & Lee, Donghyun & Byun, Young-Hwa & Kim, Jin-Uk, 2022. "What determines future changes in photovoltaic potential over East Asia?," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 338-347.
    14. Jennifer Cronin & Gabrial Anandarajah & Olivier Dessens, 2018. "Climate change impacts on the energy system: a review of trends and gaps," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 151(2), pages 79-93, November.
    15. Md. Rayid Hasan Mojumder & Fahmida Ahmed Antara & Md. Hasanuzzaman & Basem Alamri & Mohammad Alsharef, 2022. "Electric Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technologies: Impact on the Power Grid and Battery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-53, October.
    16. Gaetani, Marco & Huld, Thomas & Vignati, Elisabetta & Monforti-Ferrario, Fabio & Dosio, Alessandro & Raes, Frank, 2014. "The near future availability of photovoltaic energy in Europe and Africa in climate-aerosol modeling experiments," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 706-716.
    17. Bastien-Olvera, Bernardo A., 2019. "Business-as-usual redefined: Energy systems under climate-damaged economies warrant review of nationally determined contributions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 862-868.
    18. Johan Lilliestam & Anthony Patt, 2015. "Barriers, Risks and Policies for Renewables in the Gulf States," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(8), pages 1-23, August.

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