Installed solar photovoltaic generation is expanding fast in western China, with total capacity accounting for >15% of global photovoltaic capacity. However, severe aerosol pollution over western China has weakened the solar radiation reaching the panels. We assessed the impact of aerosol pollution on photovoltaic power generation at the city level in western China from 2014 to 2018. Over northwestern China, severe aerosol pollution regions, aerosols reduced annual average photovoltaic generation by 0.15–0.31 kWh/m2/day relative to clean air conditions, a decrease of 4.8–9.0%. The impact had significant seasonal variations. Aerosols can exert an influence even as important as clouds in winter in northwestern China, with the reduction of 11.2–17.4% in December. Photovoltaic generation can be benefited from the improvement of aerosol pollution and can further improve the air quality by providing clean power.
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