Saharan dust carried by Atlantic winds sweeps across Europe over the Iberian Peninsula. This has led to a decrease in irradiance, particularly in Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands and Germany.

Saharan dust carried by Atlantic winds drifted over Europe late last week, reducing daily irradiance by 25 percent as dust in the atmosphere scatters, absorbs and reflects sunlight. Prevailing westerly winds on February 14 carried dust from the Iberian Peninsula to Germany on February 16. Peak irradiance losses were as high as 30% in the affected areas at noon, with large areas of northern Europe, especially the Netherlands, and daily irradiance losses of 15-25% in Germany on 15-16 February.

On February 14, a high pressure system over North Africa and a low pressure system in the Norwegian Sea in the low to mid-level atmosphere directed westerly winds across the African continent, carrying Saharan dust from west to east across Europe. Dust in the atmosphere reduces irradiance by scattering sunlight as it passes through the atmosphere, appearing as haze to observers on the ground, and reducing the irradiance received by the surface. Dust can also deposit and contaminate panels, which can affect solar power generation, even after the dust is removed from the atmosphere, reducing the efficiency of power generation. Asset operators in affected areas may find that these pollution impacts result in reduced power generation.