More communities are relying on solar power as a source of renewable energy, but increasing demand and climate change threaten its reliability.
solar energy
Posted inNews
For Climate and Livelihoods, Africa Bets Big on Solar Mini-Grids
Nigeria is pioneering the development of small, off-grid solar panel installations to bring reliable electricity to remote communities — setting a model for other African countries.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Characterizing the Space Between Clouds and Clear Sky
The area near clouds is often classified as ‘clear sky’, but a new study demonstrates the potential biases of misclassifying these transition zones and their significance for Earth’s energy budget.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Mars and Earth: A Tale of Two Energy Budgets
The first view of Mars’ latitudinal radiant energy budget reveals stark contrast with Earth’s energy distribution, offering new insights into each planet’s unique energy dynamics.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Spectral Solar Radiative Transfer in Plant Canopies
Spectrally resolved radiative transfer is needed to compute reliable estimates of sunlight transmission and photolysis of molecules within plant canopies.
Posted inNews
Solar Panel Arrays May Affect Soil Carbon Levels
As research ramps up on how to maximize the benefits of colocating agriculture and solar panels, researchers are also beginning to investigate other potential ecosystem benefits.
Posted inEditors' Vox
Challenges in Measuring Aerosol Cloud-Mediated Radiative Forcing
Satellites are required for the global measurement of aerosol cloud-mediated radiative forcing, but satellite retrievals of aerosols and cloud properties still have challenges to overcome.
Posted inEditors' Vox
Danger in the Dust! The Hazards of Windblown Dust
Airborne dust not only causes disease, it also menaces transportation on land, sea, and air; disrupts renewable energy systems; transports pathogens and toxic substances; and poses many other hazards.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
A Symbiosis Between Agriculture and Solar Power
A growing population requires more food and energy, which compete for limited space…unless they don’t.