Thermal Resilience and In-Service Durability of Photovoltaics

The field of photovoltaic (PV) engineering is faced with emerging challenges as global installations expand rapidly, especially in regions characterized by intense solar irradiance and extreme temperature fluctuations. While declining costs have accelerated PV adoption worldwide, standard PV module designs—optimized for temperate climates—often fall short when deployed in harsh, arid, or high-temperature environments. These extreme conditions lead to accelerated thermal degradation, reduced operational efficiency, and premature system failure, compromising the economic and environmental benefits of solar energy. Recent research has underscored the substantial losses in energy yield and asset value due to heat-induced stress, and highlighted the limitations of current approaches in safeguarding module integrity throughout extended operation in demanding climates. There remains an urgent need for engineering solutions that address performance degradation, ensure system resilience, and reduce the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) over the module’s lifetime.This Research Topic aims to consolidate and advance innovative strategies for enhancing the operational durability, reliability, and climate adaptation of photovoltaic modules and systems. The primary focus is on the development and integration of advanced thermal management methods, next-generation materials, and predictive maintenance techniques that collectively enable PV technologies to thrive in the world’s most challenging solar markets. Investigations that bridge materials science, heat transfer, and systems engineering are particularly welcomed, with an emphasis on prolonging functional lifespans, maintaining high conversion efficiencies, and minimizing the economic impacts of climatic stressors on PV hardware. By targeting these objectives, the Research Topic seeks to contribute actionable knowledge that supports robust, climate-resilient, and cost-effective solar infrastructure.The scope of this Research Topic is limited to approaches that improve PV module and system performance, durability, and operational resilience under extreme environmental conditions. Manuscripts should not address end-of-life recycling or post-decommissioning resource recovery. We welcome submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Passive and active thermal management solutions for PV modules in hot/arid climates- Advanced heat-resistant materials, coatings, and encapsulants for extended service life- Predictive analytics, digital monitoring, and field performance modeling under thermal stress- Engineering and design guidelines for climate-adapted photovoltaic systems- Comparative economic and performance analysis of climate resilience technologies- Case studies of long-term operation or field deployment in regions with extreme irradiance or temperature profiles- Appendix: Eligible article types include Original Research, Technical Reports, Reviews, and Field Studies that clearly contribute to the in-service durability, functional performance, or climate adaptation of photovoltaic systems. Topic editors: Usman Damo, Siegfried K Yeboah, Ayotunde Dawodu, Shazia Farman Ali Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79323/thermal-resilience-and-in-service-durability-of-photovoltaics