Solar Energy

Published since 1957, Solar Energy, the official journal of the International Solar Energy Society is devoted exclusively to the science and technology of solar energy applications. With participation encompassing 100 countries, ISES serves as a center for information on research and development in solar energy utilization. Through its publications and its sponsorship of technical conferences, the Society provides a world forum for the active consideration of solar energy. Solar Energy welcomes manuscripts presenting information on any aspect of solar energy measurement, research, development, application, or policy.
Solar Energy welcomes manuscripts presenting information not previously published in journals on any aspect of solar energy research, development, application, measurement or policy. The term "solar energy" in this context includes the indirect uses such as wind energy and biomass. Because of the international character of Solar Energy, articles that deal solely with the solar radiation or wind data base of a specific country are not normally considered suitable for Solar Energy. Submitted manuscripts may take the form of reports of original studies or reviews of significant prior work in a given area. All manuscripts are subject to reviews to assure accuracy, clarity, and long-term value.
Solar Energy covers topics such as:
- Solar Buildings
- Solar Thermal Energy Conversion
- Photovoltaic Systems
- Solar Thermal Power Plants
- Materials, Optics, Energy Storage
- Solar Chemistry
- Resources and Radiation
- Economics and Policy
Journal Performance:
- CiteScore: 12.6
- Impact Factor: 6.6
Solar Energy Audience: Researchers, academics, architects and technicians involved in the research, design, construction and utilisation of photovoltaics and solar energy systems.
ISES Members Discount on Solar Energy Journal Subscription
Solar Energy Journal - paper version (18 issues/year) | € 55 |
Solar Energy Online* - electronic version (18 issues/year) | € 48 |
*not available for Corporate members
The online version includes access to 18 regular volumes for the current year and access to back files up to 4 years from start of subscription, plus access to full archive of abstracts.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/solar-energy
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All subscriptions are for personal use only and may not be shared or placed in institutional or university libraries or other libraries, nor may any personal subscriptions be used for library purposes.
Call for Papers
Advances in Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power (CSP): Special Issue on Heliostat Technologies
Submission deadline: 30 September 2025
Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power (CSP) technologies have been commercially employed over 20 countries in the world, with a total installation of about 7.5 GW-e. When compared with other non-flexible renewable technologies, CSP offers valuable dispatchability to the grid and general energy sector, when combined with naturally coupled thermal energy storage systems. In order to improve the commercial competitiveness of CSP, the cutting-edge research and development (RD) are needed to further improve its cost, performance and commercial readiness. In particular, heliostat-based CSP systems can offer immense potential to provide low-cost, dispatchable renewable thermal and electrical energy to help achieve 100% decarbonized energy infrastructure for a given country. Heliostats are a major determinant of both capital cost and performance of state-of-the-art commercial molten salt towers and Generation 3 CSP systems. As part of the global efforts, in 2021 the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) launched the Heliostat Consortium (HelioCon), a five-year initiative to advance heliostat technologies.
The goal of the special issue is to share the state-of-the-art research in this fascinating field that will set the stage for guiding future research activities. Building on the vision and challenges to be addressed for future-generation heliostat technologies (see the Perspective article https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2023.111917), we aim to present a collection of papers reporting the most recent accomplishments in the field. We will give preference to works focusing on metrology, standards, components, controls, system analysis and efforts on resources, training and education for workforce expansion. The publications in this Special Issue will improve understanding of this emerging technical topic and attract more researchers for valuable contribution of the growing CSP community.
The special issue will collect original papers, reviews and prospectives to present the state-of-art research on such as the following. Publications in related areas may also be considered at the discretion of the guest editors:
- Heliostat-based CSP systems
- Metrology
- Solar field control
- Heliostat field operation and maintenance
- Systems and components manufacturing
- Optical engineering and analysis: characterization, degradation, and new materials
- Wind load of heliostat and heliostat field
- Systems and environmental impact (wind, thermal cycles, UV degradation, fatigue)
- Mirror manufacturing, coating, framing, installation, and metrology
- Heliostat and heliostat field ray tracing
- Standards and guideline for design, operation, and maintenance
- Soiling
- Techniques for heliostat performance monitoring
- Heliostat systems deployment
- Training and education
- Techno-economic analysis
- Use and application of Artificial Intelligence for heliostats and nowcasting
Solar-to-X Technologies for Sustainable Energy Solutions
Submission deadline: 31 December 2025
Solar Energy journal is pleased to announce a special issue focusing on Solar-to-X Technologies, pivotal to driving the next generation of sustainable energy solutions. We invite researchers, scientists, and engineers from academia, industry, national laboratories and policy agencies to submit original research articles, reviews, and case studies that address innovative advancements, challenges, and applications of solar-to-X technologies.
About the Theme: The concept of "Solar-to-X" refers to the conversion of solar energy into various valuable products beyond traditional electricity generation. This includes the transformation of solar energy into fuels, chemicals, thermal energy, hydrogen, and other forms of energy carriers. With the increasing demand for clean and sustainable energy, solar-to-X technologies are emerging as a cornerstone in the global effort to decarbonize energy systems.
Scope of the Special Issue: This special issue aims to explore the full spectrum of solar-to-X technologies and their applications, encompassing both theoretical advancements and practical implementations. Both photon-based and thermal-based solar energy technologies are of interest. We encourage contributions in, but not limited to, the following areas:
- Solar-to-Hydrogen: Advancements in PV-powered water electrolysis and photoelectrochemical for hydrogen production.
- Concentrated Solar Thermal Energy Conversion: Innovations in the conversion of concentrated solar thermal energy to industrial heat, fuels, and chemical commodities.
- Grid Integration: Strategies for integrating solar-to-X technologies into electrical grids, including the impact on grid stability, demand response, and grid-scale storage solutions.
- Techno-Economic Analysis: Evaluation of the economic viability, scalability, and lifecycle assessment of solar-to-X technologies.
- Solar-to-Fuels: Conversion of solar energy into synthetic fuels, such as solar-to-methane, solar-to-methanol, and solar-driven CO₂ reduction pathways.
- Solar-to-Chemicals: Innovations in the solar-driven production of ammonia, ethylene, and other chemicals.
- Energy Storage and Conversion: Integrating solar-to-X technologies with energy storage systems, including batteries, thermal storage, and chemical storage.
- Policy and Market Trends: Analysis of policies, incentives, and market dynamics driving the adoption of solar-to-X solutions.
Advances in Performance Monitoring, Diagnostics, and Reliability Assessment of Photovoltaic Systems
Submission deadline: 31 March 2026
The Solar Energy Journal is pleased to announce a special issue dedicated to the “Advances in Performance Monitoring, Diagnostics, and Reliability Assessment of Photovoltaic Systems”, a topic pivotal to enabling the global energy transition and supporting high-penetration solar energy deployment worldwide. This issue aims to highlight cutting-edge research, methodological advancements, and practical applications that support the reliable, efficient, and cost-effective operation of PV systems across all scales and configurations. We invite researchers, engineers, and practitioners from academia, industry, research institutions, and policy agencies to submit original research articles, reviews, and case studies. Submissions should address innovations, challenges, and emerging solutions related to performance monitoring, diagnostics, fault detection, maintenance strategies, and performance optimization of PV systems.
Special issue information:
With extremely low generations costs (LCOE) and carbon footprint, solar PV electricity will be a key pillar of any future electricity generation mix. As a consequence, the global expansion of PV technology across diverse climates, technologies, and system scales demands robust and intelligent performance monitoring strategies to ensure long-term efficiency, reliability, and financial viability. It is therefore essential that PV systems consistently deliver optimal performance throughout their operational lifetime. This special issue aims to explore the latest research, methodologies, and tools used to monitor and evaluate the performance of PV installations, ranging from rooftop and utility-scale systems to building-integrated, building-attached, and other emerging configurations. Contributions will focus on identifying and addressing performance losses, with particular attention to root causes such as soiling, degradation, electrical faults, material defects, and physical damage. Emphasis will be placed on advanced diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and optimization strategies that enhance system reliability, enable robust benchmarking, and support cost-effective operation over the system’s operational lifetime.
Scope of the Special Issue
This special issue welcomes a wide range of contributions that advance the understanding, design, and application of PV performance monitoring and assessment techniques. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to the following:
- Performance Evaluation and Energy Yield Assessment
- Performance Modelling and Forecasting
- Monitoring Systems and Inspection Techniques
- Fault Detection and Diagnosis
- Preventive Maintenance and Reliability Optimization
- Soiling
- System Design for Enhanced Reliability
Solar Energy Journal Awards

Best Paper Award:
This award was initiated in 1981, at that time it was called the Löf/Duffie Best Paper Award, and since 2007 it has been called the "Solar Energy Journal Best Paper Award". Every two years, the award is presented to authors of papers considered to be outstanding contributions published by Solar Energy. The award is presented to papers that demonstrate significant pioneering contributions to the solar energy literature, for innovative concepts or approaches, and whose quality and presentation have a lasting impact. The papers chosen for this award are selected by the Editor-in-Chief, Subject Area Editors and Associate Editors of the Solar Energy Journal. The award consists of a certificate and a small cash prize funded by Elsevier.
Best Paper Awards are presented in the categories of:
- Solar Heating and Cooling, Buildings and Other
- Photovoltaics
- Resources and Meteorology
- Solar Environmental, Photocatalytic, and New Areas
- Concentrating Solar Power and High Temperature Processes
Associate Editor of the Year Award:
Initiated in 2023, this award honours the dedication and commitment of the Associate Editors to promoting the Journal and ensuring the high quality of the articles published. The Journal further recognizes that overseeing the scientific review process in a timely manner takes significant effort and coordination. The award includes a certificate and the opportunity for the awardee to have one peer-reviewed article published in Solar Energy open access for 6 months free of charge. The Associate Editor(s) of the Year is/are selected by the Editor-in-Chief based on nominations received from the Subject Area Editors.
Best Paper Awards 2023
PV Cells and Cell Physics
- Stable and efficient Sb2Se3 solar cells with solution-processed NiOx hole-transport layer by Liping Guo, S. N. Vijayaraghavan, Xiaomeng Duan, Harigovind G. Menon, Jacob Wall, Lingyan Kong, Subhadra Gupta, Lin Li, Feng Yan - Solar Energy, Volume 218, 2021, 525-531 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2021.02.063
Solar Heating & Cooling, Buildings
- Improving the performance of tubular solar still integrated with drilled carbonized wood and carbon black thin film evaporation by Swellam W Sharshir, AW Kandeal, Youssef M Ellakany, Ibrahem Maher, Ahmed Khalil, Ahmed Swidan, Gamal B Abdelaziz, Hany Koheil, Maher Rashad - Solar Energy, Volume 233, 2022, 504-514 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2022.01.065
- Investigation of physico-mechanical, thermal properties and solar thermoregulation performance of shape-stable attapulgite based composite phase change material in foam concrete by Osman Gencel, Abid Ustaoglu, Ahmet Benli, Gökhan Hekimoğlu, Ahmet Sarı, Ertugrul Erdogmus, Mucahit Sutcu, Gökhan Kaplan, Oguzhan Yavuz Bayraktar - Solar Energy, Volume 236, 2022, 51-62 - http://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2022.02.042
CSP & Photochemistry
- A feasibility study on the application of mesh grids for heliostat wind load reduction by Matthew J. Emes, Azadeh Jafari, Maziar Arjomandi - Solar Energy, Volume 240, 2022, 121-130 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2022.05.033
Solar Resources
- IrradianceNet: Spatiotemporal deep learning model for satellite-derived solar irradiance short-term forecasting by Andreas H Nielsen, Alexandros Iosifidis, Henrik Karstoft - Solar Energy, Volume 228, 2021, 659-669 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2021.09.073
Systems Integration
- Modeling, testing, and mitigation of electromagnetic pulse on PV systems by Wei Qiu, Liang Zhang, He Yin, Lawrence C Markel, Dahan Liao, Ben W McConnell, Yilu Liu - Solar Energy, Volume 264, 2023, 112010 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2023.112010
- Techno-economic potential and perspectives of floating photovoltaics in Europe by Leonardo Micheli, Diego L Talavera, Giuseppe Marco Tina, Florencia Almonacid, Eduardo F Fernández - Solar Energy, Volume 243, 2022, 203-214 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2022.07.042
Associate Editors of the Year 2023
- Solar Heating/ Cooling and Buildings - Dr. Anna Laura Pisello (Italy)
Dr. Pisello is an associate professor of environmental applied physics at University of Perugia, Italy where she founded the Environmental Applied Physics Lab. She has been a visiting research associate at Princeton University (NJ), Columbia University (NY), Virginia Tech (Virginia) and City University of New York.
She is the author of more than 150 international refereed journal publications and several patents about microclimate monitoring systems, new materials for radiative cooling and photoluminescence. Dr Pisello has won several international academic awards and European projects under the framework of Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe program including one European Research Council grant about radiative cooling for urban heat mitigation, as the first and only Italian scientist in the field of Environmental/Industrial Applied Physics. She is an associate editor of Solar Energy (Elsevier), editor of Energy and Buildings (Elsevier) and Nature Scientific Reports, among others.
- Photovoltaic Cells and Cell Physics - Dr. Lingamallu Giribabu (India)
Dr. Giribabu is a Senior Scientist at the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical technology (IICT), Hyderabad, India, and a Professor at the Academy of Scientific and Innovation Research (AcSIR).
His expertise is in the design and development of low-cost materials that include sensitizers, redox couples, electrode materials, semi-conducting metal oxides, and hole transport materials for dye-sensitized solar cells and perovskite solar cells. His group also investigates donor-acceptor systems-based pigment molecules for bio-mimicking of natural photosynthesis, non-linear optical properties as well as sensitizers for photodynamic therapy. He is the recipient of several awards including the Materials Research Society award, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, and a Fellow of the Luminescence Society of India. He has published over 250 research articles, is an inventor on 7 patents and has published six book chapters.
- Concentrating Solar Power and High Temperature Processes - Dr. Robert Pitz-Paal (Germany)
Dr. Pitz-Paal is one of the two directors of DLR Solar Research Institute, the largest research institution in Germany working in the field of concentrating solar technologies. This position is jointly assigned with a professorship at Aachen University.
His main research areas are the technical analysis and optimization of concentrating solar power systems for generating electricity and producing fuel. Many innovations developed in his institute can be found today in commercial solar thermal power plants. Dr Pitz-Paal has serves as associate editor the Journal of Solar Energy and served as the chairman of the SolarPACES technology Cooperation Programme of the IEA form 2017 -21. He is also member of the board of the German Industry Association of CSP (DeutscheCSP) and of the European Industry Association ESTELA. Pitz-Paal received the Farrington-Daniels Award of the International Energy Society in 2017 and the Frank Kreith Energy Award of the ASME in 2020.
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Solar Energy Special Issues
Within the Solar Energy journal, special issues are published. These special issues cover solar energy technologies as well as certain ISES conferences.
Recent special issues of Solar Energy are:
- Special Issue on Particle-based Solar Energy Capture and Storage for Concentrated Solar Power
- Digital Twin Technology Applications Toward Reliable, Resilient, and Sustainable Solar Energy
- Special Issue on Solar Thermal Power and Chemistry in Honor of Prof. Aldo Steinfeld
- Special Issue on Salinity Gradient Solar Ponds: Lessons we learned and the Way Forward
- Special Section on Highlighting Energy research by authors based in the Global South
See the full list of past Solar Energy special issues here.
Abstracting / Indexing
- Applied Mechanical Review
- Applied Science & Technology Index
- BIOSIS Database
- CABS
- Current Contents
- EIC Intelligence
- Engineering Index Monthly & Author Index
- Environmental Periodicals Bibliography
- Bibliographic and Ordering Information
Commenced publication 1957