Response of Vegetation and Soil Property Changes by Photovoltaic Established Stations Based on a Comprehensive Meta-Analysis

Xiaoxin Chen, Bojian Chen, Yongdong Wang (), Na Zhou () and Zhibin Zhou
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Xiaoxin Chen: National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
Bojian Chen: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Yongdong Wang: National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
Na Zhou: National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
Zhibin Zhou: National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-19

Abstract: Since the commencement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), renewable energy has faced many challenges in reaching the target of SDGs, while the potential ecological impact on the environment cannot be ignored. The expansion of photovoltaic (PV) networks is raising concerns regarding the potential impact of large-scale PV power stations on local ecosystems. However, a comprehensive understanding of the specific responses of vegetation and soil factors to PV con-struction across different study locations is still lacking. To address this knowledge gap, we con-ducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of 28 studies internationally representing 31 observational points that evaluated 432 different vegetation and soil factor responses to the installation of PV power stations. We used piecewiseSEM to explore the responses of predictors/factors to the eco-logical environment. This study investigated the geographical and environmental conditions associated with PV construction and their responses to vegetation and soil factors, considering the advantages and disadvantages of PV power station construction in different ecosystems. The results indicate that (1) the response of the ecosystems to PV power station construction increased by 58.89%. Among these, the most significant improvement is in the desert, which accounts for 77.26%. Im-provement in temperate regions is 59.62%, while there is a decrease of 19.78% in boreal regions. Improvement in arid regions is 84.45%, while improvement in humid regions is 9.84%. (2) PV construction promotes SWC, vegetation diversity, vegetation coverage, and vegetation biomass, significantly enhancing vegetation productivity. (3) Among the different ecosystems, PV power station effects were most significant in deserts, while showing negative impacts on croplands. (4) Compared to below-panel treatments, between-panel treatments were more effective in improving ecological conditions. The study contributes to mitigating adverse effects associated with photovoltaic site development, offering insights into site selection planning for solar power stations and the advancement of the renewable energy sector.

Keywords: desert; ecological impact; soil; vegetation; photovoltaic power station; piecewiseSEM (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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