Key facts
- Rooftop solar installations in the UK can power five hours of daily air conditioning.
- This capability is relevant during heatwave conditions.
- Analysis was conducted by Ember.
- Air conditioning use has environmental impacts.
- These impacts include refrigerant emissions.
- Air conditioning use contributes to the urban heat island effect.
- The overall sustainability of AC, even with renewable power, is questioned.
Rooftop solar installations in the UK have the capacity to power five hours of daily air conditioning use during heatwave conditions, according to analysis by Ember. This finding suggests that renewable energy sources could potentially meet a portion of the increased electricity demand associated with cooling during extreme weather events. However, the study also highlights that the environmental impact of air conditioning units themselves continues to be a considerable concern. The operation of AC systems releases refrigerants, which can be potent greenhouse gases, and contributes to the urban heat island effect, where built-up areas experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. These factors raise questions about the overall sustainability of increasing air conditioning use, even when the electricity is generated from renewable sources like rooftop solar. The analysis underscores a complex interplay between the need for cooling during rising temperatures and the environmental footprint of the cooling technology itself.