Self-Limiting Effects of Global-Scale Desert Solar Farms: Climatic Feedbacks and Constraints on Wind-Solar Energy Synergy

This study investigates the self-limiting effects of large-scale solar farms deployed in global desert regions, focusing on their far-reaching climatic and energy system impacts. By integrating a novel surface energy balance model into a global climate model, we simulate the consequences of installing solar farms over 20% of desert areas across five continents. Our findings reveal significant global and regional climatic feedbacks, including a 6.95% reduction in near-surface wind speeds, which leads to a 5.5% decline in global wind power generation potential (312.47 TW h annually). Furthermore, solar farms induce local atmospheric changes, such as increased surface temperatures and cloud cover, resulting in a 22.44 TW h reduction in solar power output. Crucially, these climatic impacts on surface radiation extend beyond immediate locations, influencing renewable energy resources in distant regions through teleconnections. This self-limiting dynamic underscores the inherent trade-offs between solar and wind energy, highlighting the need for integrated global energy planning that accounts for cross-border climatic and energy interdependencies. Our results emphasize the importance of balancing renewable energy expansion with the resilience of global energy systems, offering critical insights for sustainable energy strategies in a decarbonized future.