Impact of Air Pollution on Solar Radiation in Megacity Jakarta

Abstract

Air pollution can intrude on the process of solar radiation reaching the earth’s surface, disrupting the earth’s heat balance. Global warming is one of its consequences. This study aims to analyze the impact of air pollution on solar radiation using Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Regression (SVR) models. We use six pollutant types to predict the diffuse solar radiation, i.e., PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, and O3. Besides, near-surface temperature and sunshine duration are also expected to influence solar radiation or vice versa. The models are applied in two locations in Jakarta, Kemayoran and Jagakarsa, from January-August 2019. Based on the model performance, RF outperformed compared to the SVR model. RF model found that all variables, pollutants, temperature, and sunshine duration, impact the solar radiation in both locations. While the SVR model showed that the solar radiation in Kemayoran is affected by all variables, excluding O3. Meanwhile, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, temperature, and sunshine duration affect the solar radiation in Jagakarsa. Overall, PM2.5 is one of the top three most influential pollutants.