Abstract:

The deserts of southern Asia have high potential for solar energy production due to low latitude and nearly cloudless summers. This study uses satellite data from the MIDAS climatology and cloud data from CM SAF to examine the effects of aerosols, dust, and clouds on surface solar radiation (SSRD) and direct normal irradiance (DNI) from 2004 to 2023. It also evaluates their impact on solar energy facilities. Results show that dust aerosol concentration (DUAOD550) and total aerosols (AOD550) have a weak positive correlation with SSRD and DNI (R² between 0.02 and 0.048). From 2016 to 2024, the average dust optical depth (Dust AOD) decreased in countries like Pakistan (from 0.53 to 0.11) and Afghanistan (from 0.25 to 0.1). Global horizontal irradiance (GHI) and direct normal irradiance (DNI) increased in some areas, such as the Paracel Islands, but decreased in Pakistan and Aksai Chin. These changes affect the efficiency of solar energy systems and require consideration in facility design.