Solar energy is not only one of the cleanest renewable sources, but it can also have positive effects on the natural environment. A study at the end of 2024 reveals that they could benefit local ecosystems, especially in arid regions.
The research focused on the Qinghai Gonghe photovoltaic park, located in central China, near the city of Lanzhou. This solar complex (one of the largest in the world) occupies a vast area in a semi-desert area, where extreme conditions often make the growth of vegetation difficult.
To assess its ecological impact, scientists used the Pressure-Drive-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model, recommended by the European Environment Agency. This system allows analyzing the relationship between human activities and the environment through different indicators. In this case, 57 ecological variables divided into three areas were studied: within the , in its immediate surroundings and in an external control zone without human alteration.
More biodiversity and moisture in the soil
The results were surprising. According to the model, the solar park area obtained a “regular” rating (0.439) compared to the adjacent areas, which barely reached 0.28. This means that biodiversity and soil qualityThey were noticeably better under the solar panels than outside of them.
The researchers identified three key factors in this improvement:
- More stable local microclimatesthanks to the shade of the solar modules, which reduce the surface temperature.
- Greater humidity in the soil, since the panels reduce evaporation and retain part of the water from cleaning.
- Greater plant and microbial diversity, because more temperate conditions favor life in the subsoil.
In the words of the study, solar panels “They act as an ecological umbrella” in dry environments, helping to conserve water and stabilize soils. However, the authors also emphasize that these benefits must be confirmed in the long term, since the effects of massive solar farms can vary depending on climate and type of terrain.
Solar energy in Spain: record growth and new challenges
. According to the latest data from ), the country already has more than 27 gigawatts (GW) of installed power, which is equivalent to 26% of all national renewable generationl.
Only in 2024, More than 2.8 GW of new solar capacity was installed, driven both by large parks and by residential self-consumption, which already exceeds 1.8 million users.
The growth of photovoltaics is transforming the Spanish energy landscape: areas such as Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura concentrate the majority of solar parks, some of them integrated into agricultural projects that seek to make energy and biodiversity compatible.
