Effects of Aerosols and Clouds on Solar Energy Production from Bifacial Solar Park in Kozani, NW Greece

Abstract

Highlights: What are the main findings? First long-term analysis (20 years) of the effect of aerosols and clouds on solar energy production in a bifacial solar park in Eastern Europe. Aerosols dominate mainly in spring and summer while clouds in winter. Annual increase in solar energy production by +800.7 MWh, corresponding to an annual reduction of ~538 metric tons of CO2 and a financial gain of ~12,827 €. What is the implication of the main finding? Combining reanalysis and Earth Observation datasets (ERA5, CAMS and PVGIS) to quantify climatological drivers of solar energy production. The methodological framework, based on globally accessible datasets and standardized modeling procedures, is transferable and could be applied to other regions with bifacial photovoltaic infrastructures. The impact of aerosols and clouds on solar energy production is a critical factor for the performance of photovoltaic systems, particularly in regions with dynamic and seasonally variable atmospheric conditions. In Northwestern Greece, the bifacial solar park in Kozani—the largest in Eastern Europe—serves as a valuable case study for evaluating these effects over a 20-year period (2004–2024). By integrating ERA5 reanalysis data and CAMS satellite-based radiation products with modeling tools such as PVGIS, seasonal and annual trends in solar irradiance attenuation were investigated. Results indicate that aerosols have the greatest impact on solar energy production during spring and summer, primarily due to increased anthropogenic and natural emissions, while cloud cover exerts the strongest effect in winter, consistent with the region’s climatic characteristics. ERA5’s estimation of absolute energy output shows a strong correlation with CAMS satellite data (R2 = 0.981), supporting its reliability for trend analysis and climatological studies related to solar potential dynamics in the Southern Balkans. The bifacial park demonstrates an increasing energy yield of approximately 800.71 MWh/year over the study period, corresponding to an annual reduction of ~538 metric tons of CO2 and a financial gain of ~12,827 €. This is the first study in the Eastern Mediterranean that combined ERA5 and CAMS datasets with the PVGIS simulation tool in a long-term evaluation of bifacial PV systems. The combined use of reanalysis and satellite datasets, rarely applied in previous studies, highlights the importance of localized, climate-informed modeling for energy planning and management, especially in a region undergoing delignification and decarbonization.