I've seen equipment damaged from heat from the sun in a hot car,
but neglecting heat issues for the moment, will the light from the sun
actually permanently destroy a board or bullet camera like it would
if you stared at the sun? (I.e., not from the heat, but the light intensity?)

I've seen a plastic wireless camera actually melt from heat, but there
didn't appear to be any permanent optical element damage, even though
the sun was in frame for several minutes.

Not sure if the above post was a question.

But if your camera has sun damage to the image sensor than there will be pink spots or streaks where the sun or sun reflection has hit the sensor over a time period.

yes the CCD will be damaged if its stares too much at the sun,
I use bullets with Sony ICX404AK sensors these work well for cars.

In most cases placement is everything most people make the mistake of half of the picture being the sky ! tilt it down ...Use the cars features as a sun shade..

z