Life in the Gobi Desert with Photovoltaic Panels

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 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.

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.

Could PV plants in China's Gobi deserts reduce evaporation and wind?

[Google Scholar] [CrossRef] Chang, R.; Yan, Y.; Wu, J.; Wang, Y.; Gao, X. Projected PV Plants in China’s Gobi Deserts Would Result in Lower Evaporation and Wind. Sol. Energy 2023, 256, 140–150.

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.