The sun affects deep geothermal energy

Abstract

Traditionally, solar energy is thought to influence only shallow soil layers, not deep geothermal heat. Here, we challenge this conventional view by investigating the relationship between Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) and Geothermal Heat Flux (GHF) at a global scale. DNI represents the intensity of solar energy, while GHF quantifies the geothermal energy from Earth's interior to its surface per unit area, serving as a key indicator of subsurface thermal conditions. Our study reveals a novel V-shaped correlation between DNI and GHF globally, characterized by a turning point at a DNI of about 4 kWh/m². This relationship holds across varying elevations and Moho depths, suggesting a fundamental link between solar irradiance and Earth's internal heat dynamics. The fact that many high temperature geothermal power plants in the world are located in regions with high DNI values validates the new discovery. Our findings not only revolutionize the exploration methodology for geothermal energy, potentially aiding in the identification of high temperature geothermal resources, but also propose a groundbreaking hypothesis involving solar neutrinos mediating this unexpected relationship. This research opens new avenues for interdisciplinary investigations into geothermal science, solar energy, and their roles in sustainable energy solutions.