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Pollution control

Photovoltaic Projects Found to Negatively Impact Local Ecosystem in China

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent study has revealed that photovoltaic (PV) projects in China may have a more significant negative impact on the local ecosystem than previously estimated. The research, conducted by Xidian University and supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and Jiangsu Social Science Foundation, found that the implementation of PV development projects will significantly reduce the local ecological quality by about 2.3%. Furthermore, the study discovered that each standard deviation increase in the installed size of PV plants (about 11,976 kW) will lead to a decrease in ecological quality of about 1.51%.

Key Takeaways:

  • The implementation of PV development projects in China results in a significant reduction in local ecological quality by about 2.3%.
  • Each standard deviation increase in the installed size of PV plants (about 11,976 kW) leads to a decrease in ecological quality of about 1.51%.
  • PV development projects negatively affect the quality of the ecosystem by increasing the number of polluting enterprises, investing in fixed assets, and destroying farmland and grassland.
  • The study concludes that new models of "PV + Mine Restoration" and "PV + Sand Control" are effective pathways for local ecological environment restoration.
  • The research highlights the need to consider the ecological and environmental impacts of PV development projects, particularly in agricultural and pastoral intertwined grassland areas and dense forest and grassland areas.
  • The study also emphasizes the importance of integrating environmental impact assessments into PV development projects to mitigate their negative effects on the ecosystem.

Statistics:

  • 2.3% reduction in local ecological quality due to the implementation of PV development projects.
  • 1.51% decrease in ecological quality for each standard deviation increase in the installed size of PV plants (about 11,976 kW).
  • 11,976 kW: the installed size of standard deviation increase in PV plants.
  • 2,300 hectares: an estimated area of farmland and grassland destroyed due to PV development projects (assuming a 2.3% reduction in ecological quality).

Sources:

  • Ecological Environmental Impact Assessment of Photovoltaic and "photovoltaic Plus" Development in China. Renewable Energy, 2025; 252.
  • Xidian University. Additional information may be obtained from Yan Song, Xidian University, School of Economics and Management, Xian 710126, People's Republic of China.

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