Decoding Desert Degradation: New Study Reveals Structural Weakening in Solar Panels Exposed to Harsh Climates

Algerian researchers used X-ray diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinement and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy to show how long-term exposure to desert conditions causes microstructural and compositional degradation in solar panels, offering critical insights for improving monocrystalline photovoltaic (PV) durability in extreme climates.

As a new source of sustainable energy, solar panels are being used to provide energy to office buildings, single-family homes, and other installations. However, their performance in extreme environments has come under question, particularly because of their exposure to excessive heat. In a new study published in the journal Materials Chemistry and Physics, researchers from several Algerian institutions investigated the microstructural degradation of monocrystalline photovoltaic (PV) panels that are subjected to decades of harsh desert exposure (1). This study provided new insights into how intense environmental stress in the Adrar region contributes to long-term solar panel deterioration.

Blue photovoltaic solar panels mounted on building roof for producing clean ecological electricity at sunset. Production of renewable energy concept. | Image Credit: © bilanol - stock.adobe.com

What is the Adrar region?

Adrar, the capital of Adrar province in Algeria, is known for its extreme desert climate and temperatures (2). It encompasses much of the Sahara and features expansive sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and sparse vegetation. Because of its intense sunlight and extreme weather conditions, Adrar has become an important site for studying solar energy technologies and their long-term performance in desert environments.

Solar panels were installed in Adrar back in 1993, 1997, and 2003. Despite their varying years of service, the solar panels exhibited clear signs of wear and degradation (1). These changes are not merely superficial, but deeply embedded at the atomic and molecular levels, affecting the long-term viability of solar energy generation in hyper-arid regions (1).

What did the study investigate?

As part of their investigation, the research team used techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinement and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy to analyze changes in crystallinity, lattice parameters, and phase compositions across the panel samples (1). The researchers found that the silicon (Si) lattice showed a progressive expansion, with unit cell volumes increasing from 159.0041 ų to 161.5624 ų (1). This finding was crucial as it indicated that the defect integration and atomic reconfiguration was caused by long-term exposure to heat, sand, and radiation (1).

The researchers also found that silicon displayed expansion, which was different than what they found in other materials. Methane hydrate-clathrate (MH-C) phases exhibited lattice contraction, possibly indicating densification or material loss (1). Meanwhile, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), another key phase in PV cells, showed lattice shrinkage in newer panels, implying stress-induced structural contractions or changes to quartz-based components (1).

Quantitative phase analysis revealed a steady drop in silicon content from 98.8 wt% in the most recent panel to 89.2 wt% in the oldest (1). Concurrently, the concentrations of MH-C and SiO₂ increased with panel age, underscoring how chemical transformations replace vital photovoltaic material over time.

What is the importance of these findings?

The findings are important because they reveal how environmental stressors induce complex, multi-phase material degradation in PV systems. Although prior studies have discussed surface-level wear and energy output decline, this research provides the first detailed atomic-level evidence of microstructural changes contributing to performance loss (1).

Solar energy is a major contributor to decarbonization efforts that are taking place in the United States and globally (3). According to the National Science Foundation, solar panels will be able to reduce the carbon footprint by 33% in the United States by 2050 (3). For areas that face extreme climate conditions like Adrar, the Middle East, and some parts of Australia and the United States, this is key for improving the lifespan of solar panels.

The authors suggest that design changes to solar panels could help improve their longevity. For example, they recommended that nano-coated anti-reflective glass can help resist sand abrasion, thermally robust encapsulants to minimize delamination, thermal management coatings to reduce structural stress, and hydrophobic self-cleaning surfaces to combat dust accumulation (1). Additionally, automated cleaning and monitoring systems can maintain performance while reducing manual maintenance costs in remote locations (1).

The study’s crystallographic models showed high reliability, with goodness-of-fit (GOF) values of 1.19, 1.26, and 1.37 for the 1993, 1997, and 2003 panels, respectively (1). These metrics reinforce the robustness of the data and the importance of such detailed investigations for future solar research.

References

1. Hachemi, N.; Sakher, E.; Baira, F.; et al. Microstructural and Phase Degradation of Monocrystalline Solar Photovoltaic Panels Under Extreme Desert Conditions: Insights from XRD and FTIR Analysis. Mater. Chem. Phys. 2025, 339, 130742. DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.130742
2. UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, Adrar, Algeria. UNESCO.org. Available at: https://www.uil.unesco.org/en/learning-cities/adrar (accessed 2025-08-06).
3. National Science Foundation, Research Finds that Returning Solar Panel Production to U.S. can Speed Decarbonization. NSF.org. Available at: https://www.nsf.gov/news/research-finds-returning-solar-panel-production-us#:~:text=By%202050%2C%20the%20solar%20panels,in%20the%20next%20three%20decades.%22 (accessed 2025-08-06).