Coal Pollution's Hidden Tax on Solar Power: Study Reveals Massive Annual Energy Drain

Coal-derived aerosols are costing the global solar industry hundreds of terawatts in lost generation annually—a hidden efficiency penalty that extends far beyond coal's direct health impacts. This research is critical because it reveals a fundamental interdependency: renewable energy transition calculations often overlook how atmospheric pollution undermines clean energy gains, potentially misstating the true value of coal phase-out. Quantifying these aerosol-induced losses is essential for accurate climate policy planning and identifying pollution mitigation as a parallel lever for accelerating clean energy deployment.