Rooftop solar panels could help mitigate climate change with widespread adoption

The big picture: Recent solar energy research highlights the potential for a future where solar panels play a pivotal role in reducing dependence on carbon-emitting energy sources. As scientists develop more efficient solar cells, this vision becomes increasingly within reach and could positively affect global temperatures. Proponents have long touted solar power as a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels. New research finds it could play a significant role in mitigating global climate change. The study published in Nature delves into the potential of widespread solar adoption to reduce Earth's rising temperature, focusing on the impact of installing solar panels on most compatible rooftops worldwide. The findings indicate that such an initiative could lower the planet's average surface temperature by 0.13 degrees Celsius. To assess the feasibility of this approach, researchers from China, Germany, Italy, and Sweden employed geospatial data mining and artificial intelligenc ... Read full article.