Solar relief for Europe heatwave

A solar panel park and wind turbines in Geldermalsen, Netherlands. — Reuters

A MAJOR increase in solar power generation in southern Europe played a leading role in averting energy shortages during the heatwaves of recent weeks when temperatures broke records and drove unprecedented demand for air conditioning.Solar power is particularly suited to coping with summer heat as the sun’s radiation is strongest around the hottest part of the day, when electricity demand for cooling is also at its highest.

“The very significant growth in solar basically compensates for the peaks that are caused by air conditioning,” Kristian Ruby, secretary-general of electricity industry group Eurelectric, said of the situation in Spain.