India's skies are getting darker, and experts are ringing the warning bell. In a recent study, the light moments of India's sunshine have been shown to have been consistently decreasing for decades, which is worrying for agriculture and solar energy plans.
Is India's sunshine actually disappearing?
Researchers from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), IITM Pune, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) found that sunlight hours across India have declined over the past 30 years. The study, published in Nature’s Scientific Reports, analysed data from 20 weather stations between 1988 and 2018. It showed a consistent drop in annual sunshine hours, except in parts of the northeast.
The northern plains are losing around 13 hours of sunshine every year, while the west coast records a fall of about 8.6 hours. Experts explain this reduction, referred to as solar dimming, is caused by dense aerosols from vehicles, industries, and agricultural burning. These particles scatter and trap sunlight, which causes more cloud cover and less sunny days.
What is causing this 'solar dimming'?
Elevating aerosol pollution is the primary aggressor, according to experts. Aerosols serve as small seeds of cloud formation, making skies cloudy even in the absence of rain. This year's extended monsoon followed suit, with gloomy, moist days ruling over much of India.
India's level of aerosols is now twice the world average, forming enormous 'brown clouds' over South Asia. The clouds retain heat, lower visibility, and interfere with regional weather patterns. The dimming impacts not only sunlight on the ground but also impedes natural cooling, making local heat stress worse.
How does it impact energy and agriculture?
Reduced sunlight, scientists caution, could damage India's renewable energy aspirations. Solar power generation could fall by up to 7%, imperiling the country's 2030 clean energy targets. Cloudy skies also impact crop yields, as crops such as rice and wheat depend heavily on sunlight for photosynthesis. Lower radiation translates into weaker yields and slower growth.
The study’s authors urge stronger pollution control and improved aerosol monitoring. They stress that urgent action is needed to prevent further damage to India’s climate resilience.
Delhi’s air quality index again crossed 300 this monsoon, turning skies murky and thick. The warning from scientists is clear: unchecked pollution and changing weather patterns could soon steal India’s sunshine advantage, endangering both its farms and its clean energy future.
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