Guidelines for Editors

The Role of the Editor

Editors are vital to Solarlits’ mission of advancing open scientific exchange and making energy research freely accessible worldwide. Acting as subject-matter experts, editors guide the peer-review process with careful oversight to ensure every published article meets the highest standards of quality and integrity. All editorial decisions must be based solely on intellectual merit, maintaining complete fairness and freedom from discrimination. Furthermore, editors are required to adhere strictly to Solarlits’ Research and Publication Ethics Policy, as well as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices. Through this steadfast commitment, our editors build a trusted foundation of research that serves and strengthens diverse global communities.

Responsibilities of Editors

The editor holds sole responsibility for determining the suitability of submitted articles for publication in the journal. Editorial decisions to accept or reject a paper are based on several factors, including the manuscript's alignment with the journal's scope, its originality, quality, and relevance. In some cases, the editor may consult with other editors, such as associate editors and members of the editorial board, as well as reviewers, when making these decisions.

To maintain the integrity and fairness of the publication, the editor is committed to ensuring that the peer review process is conducted impartially, without bias, and within a reasonable timeframe. This includes adhering to the following practices:

• Evaluating manuscripts based solely on their intellectual content, without consideration of factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy of the authors.
• Ensuring that each article undergoes a thorough review by a minimum of two external and independent experts with expertise in the relevant field.
• Selecting peer reviewers following best practices, proactively avoiding potential conflicts of interest, and preventing fraudulent reviewer selection.
• Sharing reviewers' comments with authors in their entirety, except in cases where offensive or libelous remarks are present.
• Subjecting submissions from editors or editorial board members to unbiased peer review. The submitting editor refrains from any involvement in decisions regarding their own work, ensuring the submission is handled entirely independently.
• Addressing cases of suspected misconduct, disputes over authorship, or concerns about a reviewer's conduct by following the guidance provided in the COPE flowcharts (https://publicationethics.org/guidance/Flowcharts).

Beyond the peer review process, the editor works together with the publisher to establish a transparent mechanism for authors to appeal editorial decisions. Rigorous confidentiality is maintained at all times, with the editor safeguarding all submitted materials and communications with reviewers. The editor is obligated to promptly disclose any potential editorial conflicts of interest to the publisher in writing.

Editor-in-Chief and Executive Editor

As respected leaders in the field, the Editor-in-Chief and Executive Editor guide the journal to maintain high scientific quality and integrity. They shape the publication's direction while ensuring it strictly follows industry standards and publishing ethics. By overseeing all content, handling necessary corrections, and protecting academic rigor, they secure the journal's strong reputation in the scientific community. Additionally, they lead the Editorial Board and work closely with the Solarlits team to ensure smooth operations and consistent quality control.

The primary shared duties of these roles include:

• Actively promote the journal within the wider academic community.
• Define and regularly review the journal's academic scope and focus.
• Invite respected experts and researchers to join the Editorial Board.
• Suggest relevant and important topics for Special Issues.
• Support and guide editorial staff as needed.
• Oversee the peer-review process and take responsibility for the quality of all published content.
• Ensure that Solarlits' publishing ethics and peer-review guidelines are strictly followed.
• Review Guest Editor appointments and Special Issue proposals to ensure they meet the journal's standards.
• Make final editorial decisions on submitted manuscripts that fall within their own area of expertise.

Associate Editors

Associate Editors support the Editor-in-Chief in fostering the growth and development of the journal. When necessary, they also step in to make executive decisions on behalf of the Editor-in-Chief to ensure smooth journal operations.

The primary responsibilities of an Associate Editor include:

• Advise on the strategic direction, aims, and scope of the journal.
• Provide guidance and support to Editorial Board members and editorial staff as needed.
• Actively promote the journal to the academic community.
• Invite respected scientists and researchers to join the Editorial Board.
• Suggest relevant topics for Special Issues and help invite Guest Editors to lead them.
• Review Special Issue proposals and Guest Editor appointments to ensure the content aligns with the journal's standards before launch.
• Oversee the peer-review process for assigned manuscripts within their specific area of expertise.
• Select, invite, and guide independent expert reviewers throughout the evaluation process.
• Make final editorial decisions and recommendations based on reviewer reports and their own expert assessment.

Editorial Board Members

Editorial Board Members support the journal’s growth and ensure high scientific standards. They contribute expert knowledge to guide the journal's direction and maintain rigorous peer-review practices.

The primary responsibilities of an Editorial Board Member include:

• Actively promote the journal to the academic community.
• Review manuscripts within their area of expertise.
• Suggest relevant topics for Special Issues and help invite Guest Editors to lead them.
• Recommend distinguished scientists and researchers to join the Editorial Board.
• Oversee the peer-review process for assigned manuscripts within their specific area of expertise.
• Select, invite, and guide independent expert reviewers throughout the evaluation process.
• Suggest final editorial decisions and recommendations based on reviewer reports and their own expert assessment.

Associate Editorial Board Members

Associate Editorial Board Members maintain rigorous peer-review practices.

The primary responsibilities of an Editorial Board Member include:

• Actively promote the journal to the academic community.
• Review manuscripts within their area of expertise.
• Suggest relevant topics for Special Issues and help invite Guest Editors to lead them.
• Recommend distinguished scientists and researchers to join the Editorial Board.
• Oversee the peer-review process for assigned manuscripts within their specific area of expertise.