The Influences of the Desert Photovoltaic Power Station on Local Climate and Environment: A Case Study in Dunhuang Photovoltaic Industrial Park, Dunhuang City, China in 2019

Abstract

Based on the meteorological observation data of air temperature, surface temperature and albedo data retrieved from remote sensing images inside and outside the photovoltaic station, as well as the measured soil moisture content and bulk density at different locations of the photovoltaic power station in 2019, the impact of large-scale desert photovoltaic power plants on climate and environment was studied. The results show that air temperature, surface temperature and albedo inside the photovoltaic power station are lower than those outside the station, which are obvious in winter and not obvious in summer. Therefore, the photovoltaic power station is a cold source and an energy sink. The soil moisture content under and between the photovoltaic arrays is larger than other sampling points, and the soil bulk density gradually decreases with the distance from the center of the photovoltaic power station. Therefore, future plans for desert photovoltaic power station construction should take into account the impacts on local climate and environment.

Keywords

• desert
• photovoltaic power station
• air temperature
• surface temperature
• albedo
• soil moisture content