Europe’s solar boom is providing homes with hours of ‘free’ air conditioning (AC) – providing much-needed relief amid the latest heatwave.
Blistering temperatures have gripped much of the continent this week, resulting in widespread disruption and dozens of fatalities. Weather forecasts warn that the intense heat is starting to shift east – threatening huge parts of central Europe.
A new analysis by energy think tank Ember found that a typical UK home with rooftop solar generated enough electricity to power an AC unit for five hours per day during the hot spell.
But can AC ever really be environmentally friendly – even if it is powered by sunlight?
How bad is air conditioning for the planet?
