Vulnerability of solar energy infrastructure and output to extreme events: Climate change implications (Conference paper)

Patt, A., Pfenninger, S., & Lilliestam, J. (2010). Vulnerability of solar energy infrastructure and output to extreme events: Climate change implications (Conference paper). Joint ICTP/IAEA Workshop "Vulnerability of Energy Systems to Climate Change and Extreme Events," International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy 19-23 April 2010, Trieste, Italy

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Abstract

This paper explores the potential vulnerability of solar energy systems to future extreme event risks as a consequence of climate change. We describe the three main technologies likely to be used to harness sunlight -- thermal heating, photovoltaic (PV), and concentrating solar power (CSP) -- and identify critical extreme event vulnerabilities for each one. We then compare these vulnerabilities with assessments of future changes in extreme event risk levels. We do not identify any vulnerabilities severe enough to halt development of any technology, although we do find a potential value in exploring options for making PV cells more heat resilient, and for improving the design of cooling systems for CSP.

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