Solar power has become a cornerstone of the global energy transition. But as the International Energy Agency’s latest PV report shows, there’s no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” solar panel. From snowy alpine valleys to scorching deserts and humid tropics, every climate poses its own challenges—and requires its own solutions.
The 2025 IEA-PVPS report, Optimisation of Photovoltaic Systems for Different Climates, offers a roadmap for how the industry can adapt solar design to any environment, ensuring systems deliver maximum efficiency, reliability, and lifetime performance.
Cold & Snowy Climates: Turning Winter Into an Advantage
When most people imagine solar power, they think of sunny, warm regions—but snow-covered mountains are emerging as a surprising growth area. Low temperatures actually improve panel efficiency, while high-altitude sites benefit from intense sunlight reflected off snow.
Challenges:
- Heavy snow loads and ice can damage modules and mounting structures.
- Repeated freeze–thaw cycles increase mechanical stress.
- Reduced sunlight during winter months can impact production.
Solutions:
- Steeper mounting angles to shed snow naturally.
- Reinforced frames and thicker glass for durability.
- Snow fences and wind modelling to reduce snow drift.
- Bifacial modules, which capture reflected light from snow, boosting winter yield.
Case studies from the Swiss Alps show that well-designed alpine PV systems can deliver consistent winter power, complementing hydropower during the coldest months.
Hot & Dry Climates: Beating the Desert Heat
Deserts offer enormous solar potential, but extreme conditions demand careful engineering. Here, the sun’s abundance is matched only by the punishing stress it places on equipment.
Challenges:
- High temperatures reduce panel efficiency.
- Intense UV radiation accelerates material degradation.
- Dust storms and soiling can cut energy output by up to 20%.
Solutions:
- Heat- and UV-resistant materials such as polyolefin encapsulants.
- Anti-soiling coatings and robotic cleaning systems to reduce dust losses.
- Optimised cooling and ventilation to maintain efficiency.
- Regular monitoring using climate-specific performance models.
In the Negev Desert, the report highlights that effective cleaning strategies alone can add double-digit gains in annual energy yield.
Hot & Humid Climates: Fighting Corrosion and Biofouling
Tropical regions offer strong solar potential but come with their own set of hurdles. Persistent moisture, salt air, and biological growth can quietly erode system performance.
Challenges:
- Moisture ingress causes corrosion of electrical components.
- Biofilms and algae can form on panels, cutting efficiency by up to 11% in under two years.
- High temperatures compound material stress.
Solutions:
- Moisture-resistant encapsulants and corrosion-proof junction boxes.
- Frameless panel designs that reduce dirt and biofilm buildup.
- Salt-mist protection for coastal sites.
- Routine cleaning protocols tailored for humid conditions.
In Singapore, field data shows that without these measures, degradation rates can be twice as high as in temperate regions.
What This Means for Solar’s Future
The report emphasises one key lesson: climate-specific design is no longer optional—it’s essential. The right materials, mounting angles, and maintenance strategies must be planned from the earliest stages of a project.
It also points to innovations on the horizon:
- A proposed European energy label for solar panels to help consumers and developers choose modules optimised for local conditions.
- Advanced machine learning tools for predicting site-specific performance.
- Coatings and smart tracking systems that reduce soiling, snow, or wind-related losses.
With global solar capacity surpassing 2 terawatts, these measures could be the difference between an underperforming installation and one that thrives for decades.
Bottom Line
Whether it’s clearing snow in Switzerland, fighting dust in the Middle East, or battling humidity in Southeast Asia, the future of solar depends on understanding one simple truth: climate matters.
By embracing tailored solutions, the industry can ensure that solar power isn’t just universal in reach—it’s optimised for every corner of the planet.
Source
Optimisation of Photovoltaic Systems for Different Climates, IEA Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS), 2025-07
Boˆreal 