Can photovoltaic power plants be developed in the Gobi Desert?

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. The global expansion of photovoltaic (PV) power plants, especially in ecologically fragile regions like the Gobi Desert, highlights the suitability of such areas for large-scale PV development.

Why are solar power plants growing in the Gobi Desert?

The Gobi Desert, mainly located in northern China and southern Mongolia in East Asia, is experiencing rapid expansion of PV power plants because of its low cloud cover, abundant solar radiation, and cheap land resources .

Can solar power plants reduce soil carbon stock in the Gobi Desert?

At the same time, the decrease in surface soil carbon stock with warming may be mitigated by the cooling effect of PV power plants in the Gobi Desert. The combination of daytime cooling and nighttime warming from Gobi PV power plants might enhance vegetation growth.

Can solar energy improve ecological conditions in Gobi deserts?

PV-induced climate effects could contribute to improving ecological conditions in Gobi Deserts. In this study, a promising photovoltaic (PV) deployment scenario is firstly designed to represent China’s solar energy development in the context of its dual carbon target.

What is the Gobi Desert solar park?

The 2.2 gigawatt facility spans an area of over 25 square kilometers in the Gobi desert. This $3 billion flagship project demonstrates the epic scale of renewable infrastructure developing worldwide. Traveling to the Tengger Desert Solar Park in northwestern China, rows upon rows of solar panels extend endlessly under the barren sky.

Do Gobi PV power plants affect LST?

Ultimately, a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of Gobi PV power plants on LST can provide valuable insights for informed decision-making regarding power plant siting, scale, design, and land management. Our study suggests that the cooling effects of PV power plants are scale-dependent, with larger installations causing more cooling.