In the heart of the energy-rich desert, a quiet revolution is underway to harness a cleaner power.
Explore the ResearchThe global shift towards solar energy is undeniable, but the true test of a photovoltaic (PV) module's mettle isn't in a controlled lab—it's in the real world. Nowhere is this challenge more extreme than in a desert climate. In Qatar, where ambitions for solar energy are rapidly expanding, scientists have established a vital outdoor laboratory. Their mission: to discover which solar technologies can withstand the relentless sun, dust, and heat to power a sustainable future reliably.
Deserts represent a paradox for solar energy. They offer abundant sunlight but also present some of the most brutal conditions for man-made materials. The very factors that make them attractive for solar generation also threaten the long-term health and productivity of the installations 4 .
Beyond visible light, the sun emits ultraviolet rays that can degrade the polymers and encapsulants inside a solar module, leading to power loss over time 1 .
Modules can heat up to staggering temperatures during the day and cool significantly at night. This constant expansion and contraction strains materials and solder bonds 5 .
Fine dust particles not only block sunlight but can also scour glass surfaces and interfere with wiring, significantly reducing energy yield 4 .
Proximity to the sea in some desert regions, like Qatar's, introduces moisture, which can seep into modules and cause corrosion and internal damage 2 .
A team of scientists from Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) in Doha undertook a comprehensive, three-year field experiment to move beyond manufacturer datasheets and understand how newer solar technologies fare in their local environment .
The researchers designed a rigorous experiment to compare the most common industrial solar technologies head-to-head :
The results, published in the journal Solar Energy, revealed critical insights that are invaluable for project developers and policymakers 9 .
The most critical finding was the disparity in how much power each technology lost over three years.
| Module Technology | Specific Model | Power Degradation after 3 Years |
|---|---|---|
| HJT (Silicon Heterojunction) | SHJ-M1 |
8.73%
|
| HJT (Silicon Heterojunction) | SHJ-M5 |
6.50%
|
| TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) | TOPCon-M2 |
0.14%
|
| PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) | Various | Moderate (higher 1st-year loss) |
This table shows a stark contrast. While one TOPCon model demonstrated exceptional stability, the HJT modules degraded significantly faster than their typical manufacturer warranty of ~0.25% per year would suggest .
Despite higher degradation, the more advanced technologies often generated more power, especially in peak conditions.
| Technology | Summer SEY Performance | Winter SEY Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Bifacial HJT & TOPCon | Superior and consistent | Strong, but gap with PERC narrows |
| High-Performing PERC | Competitive | Competitive |
The study noted that bifacial HJT and TOPCon modules consistently outperformed most PERC modules in specific energy yield, particularly during the hot summer months. However, one particular PERC model kept pace, proving that smart design and material choices can make established technology highly competitive .
Desert heat doesn't just cause long-term degradation; it also causes immediate, reversible power loss. The scientists measured this using a "temperature-corrected performance ratio."
| Module Technology | Model | Heat-Related Performance Loss |
|---|---|---|
| TOPCon | TOPCon-M2 |
9.89%
|
| HJT | SHJ-M5 |
5.00%
|
Interestingly, the TOPCon module with the lowest long-term degradation (TOPCon-M2) suffered the highest loss of performance due to heat. In contrast, the SHJ-M5 model showed the greatest resilience to temperature swings, highlighting the complex trade-offs in module design .
To conduct such detailed reliability research, laboratories rely on a suite of specialized equipment and testing protocols. The work in Qatar aligns with global standards used by leading testing centers like TÜV Rheinland and the Renewable Energy Test Center (RETC) 1 5 .
| Tool / Test | Function |
|---|---|
| Outdoor Monitoring Station | Tracks real-world performance (power output, irradiance, temperature) over years. |
| IV Curve Tracer | Measures the electrical characteristics of a solar module to calculate its power and efficiency. |
| Damp Heat Chamber | Accelerates aging by exposing modules to high humidity and temperature (e.g., 85°C, 85% relative humidity). |
| UV Testing Chamber | Subjects modules to intense ultraviolet light to assess resistance to UV-induced degradation (UVID). |
| Thermal Cycling Chamber | Simulates decades of daily temperature swings by cycling modules between extreme hot and cold. |
The research from Qatar's outdoor laboratory transcends academic interest. It provides a crucial roadmap for the future of solar energy in sun-drenched regions.
The study proves that "newer" does not automatically mean "more reliable" in harsh climates. The significant variability among TOPCon modules indicates that manufacturing quality and material choices are as important as the underlying cell technology . This empowers developers to make more informed procurement decisions.
The findings show that standard certification tests may not fully capture the complexity of field degradation 2 . Integrating long-term, location-specific outdoor testing with accelerated lab tests provides a more accurate picture of a product's lifetime value.
By pinpointing failure modes—whether sensitivity to moisture in TOPCon modules 2 or UV degradation in HJT—this research provides feedback to manufacturers, driving innovation toward more robust and durable solar products. Awards like the "PV Module UVID Reliability AQM Award" given to manufacturers who excel in these tests highlight the industry's focus on these challenges 1 .
The work being done in Qatar's solar test facilities is a powerful demonstration of the principle that to harness nature's power, we must first understand its challenges. The "first results of outdoor exposure" are more than just data points; they are the foundation for building a resilient, efficient, and economically viable solar infrastructure.
As Maulid Kivambe, the researcher from HBKU, noted, the work is far from over. The next steps involve studying even newer back-contact technologies and using modeling to further understand degradation mechanisms . In the relentless Qatari sun, the quest for the perfect solar module continues—one that is not only efficient but also tough enough to take whatever the desert can dish out.