Study finds reduction of aerosols and cloud cover drives increase in solar radiation in Europe
Phys.org
February 17, 2026
Solar radiation warms and illuminates our planet. It is the primary driver behind the movement of clouds and wind, helps keep us warm, and governs activity through daily and seasonal cycles. However, over the past 30 years, a complex combination of reduced atmospheric aerosol pollution (tiny particles suspended in the atmosphere), global warming, and changes in cloud cover has led to a significant increase in solar radiation levels in Europe, according to a new study co-authored by the University of Málaga (UMA), the University of Murcia (UMU), and Solargis, a solar-sector company specializing in data and software.
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Originally published on Phys.org on 2/17/2026