When Extreme Weather Meets Renewables

As climate change intensifies, extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, hurricanes, ice storms, and extratropical cyclones, are increasingly testing the resilience of renewable energy systems. Solar and wind infrastructure are particularly exposed: strong winds and hail can damage turbines and panels, while prolonged cloudiness or high temperatures can reduce energy output. Together, these shifts create “energy droughts,” periods of low renewable generation that challenge grid stability and reliability. 

Solar energy remains the fastest-growing renewable source, yet its performance depends on climate-sensitive factors: temperature, solar irradiance, humidity, and aerosols. These variables are changing under global warming, directly affecting photovoltaic (PV) efficiency and long-term yield.

Temperature Impacts

Rising temperatures are among the clearest risks for PV performance. Most crystalline-silicon panels lose 0.3–0.5 % efficiency per °C above 25°C, as higher cell temperature lowers voltage and conversion efficiency. In regions already exposed to extreme heat, such as Southern Europe, North Africa, South Asia, this can mean annual losses of 5–10 % by mid-century. Conversely, colder northern regions may experience slight efficiency gains.

Changing Solar Irradiance

Climate models project spatially uneven trends in solar radiation. CMIP6 simulations suggest modest declines (1–3 %) in irradiance over parts of the Mediterranean and tropics due to higher aerosol and humidity levels, but small increases (1–5 %) in northern and high-altitude regions linked to reduced cloud persistence. Such variability demands adaptive planning and region-specific yield forecasts.

Building Resilience

Technological adaptation can offset many of these risks. Research highlights the role of heat-resistant PV materials, bifacial modules, and radiative cooling coatings that lower panel temperature by up to 10 °C. On the operational side, AI-based monitoring, smart inverters, and digital twins improve fault detection and response during extreme events.
At the system level, coupling distributed solar with battery storage and predictive grid management transforms variability into flexibility. Hybrid networks combining solar and wind generation further enhance resilience, balancing fluctuations in irradiance and temperature.

Outlook

The solar transition will depend on the alignment between technology, forecasting, and climate adaptation.
Renewcast also helps solar operators adapt to these atmospheric changes with its technology, providing more accurate forecasts for the following day and intraday.   For example, for tracking solar plants, it provides production forecasting in the event of adverse wind conditions that could require the immediate safe positioning of the tracking system. 

References

Gonçalves, A.C.R. et al. (2024). Extreme weather impacts on energy systems. Sustainable Energy Research, 11(4).

Solaun, K., & Cerdá, E. (2019). Climate change impacts on renewable energy generation. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 116.

Hua, Y. et al. (2024). PV performance degradation under high temperatures. Sustainability, 16(23), 10566.

Bonanno, R. et al. (2025). Climate change and solar energy in Italy. Regional Environmental Change, 25, 2417.

Zhou, W. et al. (2023). Passive cooling for photovoltaics in hot climates. Nature Energy, 8, 632–641.

IEA (2023). Renewables 2023: Analysis and forecast to 2028.