Rapid growth in global energy usage has already caused significant problems in energy shortages and environmental pollution. In recent times, increasing awareness about climate change and pollutants from carbon fuels had already spurred a rapidly growing interest in the area of renewable electricity generation. Solar energy, which is considered to be renewable and environmentally sustainable, is among the most essential aspects of renewable energy and has already been widely used in domestic, industrial, rural, and transport sectors.

In general, solar energy has been used in two different ways: for electricity and for heat. Solar energy uses solar thermal energy to heat water or air for applications such as heating, and cooling for homes and businesses. Solar thermal energy can also be used for power generation, such as a concentrated solar power plant. Solar photovoltaic technology converts solar energy into electricity using a semiconductor solar material.

The aim of this Special Issue is to consolidate a series of research papers on the various aspects of solar energy technologies, including up-to-date research on various solar energy technologies, solar desalination, solar transportation, solar heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), solar building technology, and solar fuels. Specialized research on novel systems, sizing, modelling and simulation, and performance assessment and optimisation are also of interest. We welcome both original research and review articles.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Solar applications in buildings
• Advances in concentrated solar power
• Solar powered vehicles
• Solar desalination technologies
• Solar fuels
• Floating solar plants
• Hybrid energy systems
• Energy storage technologies
• Solar passive buildings
• Solar based HVAC
• Modelling and simulation of sustainable technologies
• Optimisation of sustainable technologies
• Performance assessment of sustainable technologies
• Environmental impacts of sustainable technologies
• Policy and economic aspects of sustainable technologies