A Chinese study finds that giant solar farms built in the desert improve soil quality, vegetation and microclimate. Far from degrading the environment, they could contribute to the restoration of fragile ecosystems.
A rigorous scientific model for in-depth analysis
The immense potential of solar energy to combat climate change is undeniable. But its large-scale deployment raises questions about its environmental impact.
A recent study carried out in China
and published in Scientific Reports, sheds new light on this problem: covering a desert with photovoltaic panels profoundly modifies the ecosystem, and in a positive way.
Far from degrading the environment, the massive installation of solar panels in the Talatan desert, in the province of Qinghai, has led to a significant improvement in the quality of the soil, vegetation and microclimate. This discovery, made by researchers at Xi’an University of Technology, could revolutionize our perception of solar farms and their role in restoring fragile ecosystems.
The study focused on the Gonghe Photovoltaic Park in Qinghai, a gigantic installation with a capacity of one gigawatt. To assess the environmental impact of this infrastructure, scientists used the DPSIR (Driving forces-Pressures-State-Impact-Response) model, an analysis method developed by the European Environment Agency. This model assesses the complex interactions between human activity and the environment by examining the driving forces, the pressures placed on the environment, the state of the environment, the impact of these pressures and the responses put implemented.
Concretely, the researchers analyzed 57 different indicators, covering aspects as varied as temperature, humidity, soil composition, plant and microbial diversity. The application of a weighting method based on entropy made it possible to give more importance to the most stable indicators, thus offering a more precise vision of the changes induced by the presence of solar panels.
Convincing results: the revitalized ecosystem
The results obtained are clear: the area located under the solar panels displays a score of 0.4393, qualified as “general” by the DPSIR model. On the other hand, the transition zones and those located outside the solar park obtain scores of 0.2858 and 0.2802 respectively, considered “poor”. This striking contrast demonstrates the positive impact of the solar park on its immediate environment.
How to explain this phenomenon? Solar panels, by projecting a constant shadow on the ground, reduce temperature and evaporation, creating a more humid microclimate that is more conducive to the development of vegetation. Reducing atmospheric pressure under the panels would also contribute to this beneficial effect.
Towards a symbiosis between solar energy and the environment
These conditions favor the growth of plants and the proliferation of microorganisms, thus enriching local biodiversity. This phenomenon is all the more important in arid areas where water is a rare and precious resource. The study highlights that the photovoltaic installation has changed the distribution of energy on the desert surface, creating more favorable conditions for life. “Photovoltaic development has had a positive effect on the ecology and environment of desert areas,” the researchers conclude.
Although these results are encouraging, the researchers emphasize the need for long-term monitoring of the ecological and environmental effects of large photovoltaic installations. It is crucial to understand the complex interactions between these infrastructures and local ecosystems in order to maximize benefits and minimize potential negative impacts. Identifying the most suitable sites for the construction of these solar parks is essential to guarantee the sustainable development of solar energy.
This discovery opens up promising prospects for the future of solar energy. Not only could deserts become places for large-scale clean energy production, but they could also benefit from ecological revitalization thanks to the presence of these facilities. The Chinese study provides tangible proof that the energy transition can go hand in hand with the preservation of the environment, or even its restoration.
