Effects of photovoltaic power station construction on terrestrial ecosystems: A meta-analysis

Abstract

The rapid increase in construction of solar photovoltaic power stations (SPPs) has motivated ecologists to understand how these stations affect terrestrial ecosystems. Comparing study sites, effects are often not consistent, and a more systematic assessment of this topic remains lacking. Here, we evaluated the effects of SPP construction on carbon emissions, edaphic variables, microclimatic factors and vegetation characteristics in a meta-analysis. We employed log response ratios (as effect sizes) to assess how control plots differed from those beneath solar photovoltaic panels. We found that SPP construction decreased the local air temperature and photosynthetically active radiation, while increasing air humidity, especially in grasslands. Furthermore, plant aboveground biomass and vegetation cover were also enhanced by SPP construction in grassland ecosystems. In farmland ecosystems, photovoltaic panel installation increased plant aboveground biomass, soil available phosphorus and soil pH, while reducing CO2 flux, plant species richness and vegetation cover in woodlands. Thus, while SPP construction had profound ecological impacts in terrestrial ecosystems, the direction and strength of these effects were largely dependent on ecosystem type. Most studies of SPP construction to date have focused on local microclimatic and plant diversity effects, but few studies have examined effects on ecosystem functions and services. Future assessments are needed of both the benefits and disbenefits of SPP construction across different ecosystems, to improve SPP site selection and adaptive management.

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

“…Regions with high horizontal solar radiation exhibited more significant positive responses to the construction of PV power stations (Figure 9). This study revealed that the impact of PV power station construction on vegetation characteristics was significant, which is consistent with previous subgroup and correlation analyses [9]. The climatic zone, altitude, ecosystem type, soil depth, solar radiation intensity, and time since PV construction exert considerable influence on the vegetation and soil factors under the PV array.…”

“…Overall, the PV power stations enhanced the soil conditions and vegetation diversity. Additionally, changes in soil conditions and vegetation diversity may vary with environmental influences, such as ecosystem type [9]. Lambert et.…”

“…Our understanding of the impact of PV systems on the soil environment is evolving, and our understanding of changes in the microclimate, soil (carbon cycle, soil microbial community composition, and SWC), and vegetation is continually advancing. Additionally, changes in the ecological environment may vary with environmental influences, such as ecosystem type [9].…”

“…Numerous studies have highlighted that the development of PV has the potential for significant environmental benefits, especially in degraded areas with minimal conservation value that may be subject to fewer negative environmental impacts. Zhang conducted a meta-analysis and found that the construction of photovoltaic power stations reduces local temperatures, photosynthetically active radiation, and effective radiation, while increasing vegetation coverage and biomass [9]. However, other studies have reported on elevated temperatures down the gradient from large PV facilities [10,11].…”

Diurnal Asymmetry Effects of Photovoltaic Power Plants on Land Surface Temperature in Gobi Deserts

“…While some studies have shown a cooling effect of PV power plants on LST [20][21][22][23], others have reported warming effects [12,24,25]. These inconsistent results may stem from the fact that these local-scale studies differ in the time data collected, as well as in the climate and ecosystem types in which the studies took place [26,27]. Furthermore, because of a lack of long-term monitoring data, it is difficult to compare temperatures near PV plants with pre-construction conditions [22,25,28].…”