Article

A study conducted by Xi'an University of Technology evaluated the environmental impacts of a 1-gigawatt photovoltaic array in Qinghai Province, China. Researchers monitored vegetation, soil chemistry, and microclimate indicators across on-site, transitional, and off-site areas.

Results showed on-site areas had a better ecological rating (0.439) compared to transitional (0.286) and off-site (0.280) zones, indicating that solar farms actively contribute to ecological changes. The solar installation's design, including panel spacing and height, affects local conditions, potentially enhancing plant survival in arid climates. The facility's specific conditions may limit the applicability of findings to other desert environments.