Advancements in Solar Panel Technology in Civil Engineering for Revolutionizing Renewable Energy Solutions—A Review

Energies, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 16(18), P. 6579 - 6579

Published: Sept. 13, 2023

Globally, solar energy has become a major contributor to the rapid adoption of renewable energy. Significant savings have resulted from widespread utilization in industrial, residential, and commercial divisions. This review article comprises research conducted over past 15 years (2008–2023), utilizing comprehensive collection 163 references. Significantly, considerable focus is directed towards period 2020 2023, encompassing an extensive investigation into latest developments panel technology civil engineering. The examines incorporation panels building designs addresses installation-related structural considerations. In addition, present applications terms innovative infrastructure development panels, such as photovoltaic parking lot canopies noise barriers, which contribute improved efficiency. It also emphasizes their role water management systems, including treatment plants, pumping irrigation energy-efficient desalination technologies, promoting sustainable practices. this study how been incorporated urban planning, smart cities public parks, thereby transforming landscapes greener alternatives. examined use materials, façade systems solar-powered envelope solutions, demonstrating versatility construction industry. explores diverse energy, promotes practices various industries. Owing ongoing research, holds great promise for cleaner future.

Language: Английский

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Solar parks can enhance bird diversity in agricultural landscape

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 351, P. 119902 - 119902

Published: Jan. 2, 2024

Solar photovoltaic power parks are a relatively new anthropogenic habitat that will become more widespread in the future. The greatest potential for solar production is on arable land and grassland. Knowledge impacts of biodiversity scarce spatially limited. We investigated impact ground-mounted species richness, abundance, Shannon diversity composition bird communities Slovakia (Central Europe), taking into account pre-construction cover, elevation landscape context. recorded breeding, foraging or perching birds 32 park plots adjacent control (two hectares each) during single breeding season. found supported higher total richness diversity, abundance invertebrate-eaters, ground-foragers was developed grassland than plots. Ordination analysis showed had different thus increased overall beta agricultural landscapes studied. Plot type context accounted most variation community composition. Black redstart, European stonechat, white wagtail Eurasian tree sparrow were identified as indicator parks. observed pattern could be due to structural studied designed managed exclusively electricity production. It can therefore assumed synergy with stronger focus wildlife would have an even greater positive landscape.

Language: Английский

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Response of Vegetation and Soil Property Changes by Photovoltaic Established Stations Based on a Comprehensive Meta-Analysis

Land, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(4), P. 478 - 478

Published: April 8, 2024

Since the commencement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), renewable energy has faced many challenges in reaching target SDGs, while potential ecological impact on environment cannot be ignored. The expansion photovoltaic (PV) networks is raising concerns regarding large-scale PV power stations local ecosystems. However, a comprehensive understanding specific responses vegetation and soil factors to con-struction across different study locations still lacking. To address this knowledge gap, we con-ducted meta-analysis 28 studies internationally representing 31 observational points that evaluated 432 factor installation stations. We used piecewiseSEM explore predictors/factors eco-logical environment. This investigated geographical environmental conditions associated with construction their factors, considering advantages disadvantages station results indicate (1) response ecosystems increased by 58.89%. Among these, most significant improvement desert, which accounts for 77.26%. Im-provement temperate regions 59.62%, there decrease 19.78% boreal regions. Improvement arid 84.45%, humid 9.84%. (2) promotes SWC, diversity, coverage, biomass, significantly enhancing productivity. (3) ecosystems, effects were deserts, showing negative impacts croplands. (4) Compared below-panel treatments, between-panel treatments more effective improving conditions. contributes mitigating adverse site development, offering insights into selection planning solar advancement sector.

Language: Английский

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Integrated policymaking is needed to deliver climate and ecological benefits from solar farms

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 29, 2024

Abstract Multi‐purpose land use is of great importance for sustainable development, particularly in the context increasing pressures on to provide ecosystem services (e.g. food, energy) and support biodiversity. The recent global increase land‐take utility‐scale ground‐mounted solar farms (hereafter referred as farms) meet Net Zero targets presents an opportunity enhanced delivery services, especially temperate ecosystems where farm development often results change away from comparatively intensive agricultural management. Solar have long operational lifespans, experience low levels disturbance during operation can be managed beyond low‐carbon electricity generation, including food production biodiversity conservation. Here, we briefly synthesise mechanisms by which may impact natural capital policy recommendations policymakers sector. deliver environmental benefits hosting while minimising negative impacts, with outcomes depending location, construction techniques, management practices. However, historical misalignment between climate, nature, policies has hindered efforts simultaneously address climate crises through farms. For instance, existing public financial incentives UK that encourage landowners developers manage largely exclude Policy implications : We call identify appropriate opportunities amend national laws separately improve integration multiple aspects climate‐nature‐land nexus into policymaking by: (1) formulating ecological socio‐economic indicators metrics are underpin implementation, assessment policies; (2) adopting a cross‐sectoral cross‐government approach form (3) ensuring access use; (4) implementing incentivise funding non‐government sources private sector) nascent nature markets; (5) embedding biodiversity‐inclusive spatial planning decision‐making; (6) building equity clarity responsibilities all actors involved.

Language: Английский

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Ecological dichotomies of solar energy expansion: resilience in arid regions versus fragility in humid ecosystems

Frontiers in Plant Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16

Published: March 4, 2025

The deployment of Utility-Scale Solar Energy (USSE) systems is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone strategy in mitigating climate change. However, the environmental ramifications such extensive developments remain subject considerable debate, with marked regional variability their ecological effects, particularly across different biomes. As such, there pressing need for comprehensive, systems-level investigations to evaluate multifaceted impacts USSE both arid and humid ecosystems. Here, we undertake an exhaustive assessment utilizing high-resolution (10 m) dataset photovoltaic (PV) station distributions China, complemented by Landsat-derived NDVI remote sensing data from 2019 2023. This approach facilitates quantification dynamic effects PV infrastructure development on vegetation greenness (NDVI mean max ), allows scale-dependent responses two contrasting regions: zone Ningxia Anhui. Our results indicate that region, construction facilities has negligible effect greenness, inter-annual variations remaining consistently below 0.05, no discernible change . In contrast, region led dramatic deterioration declining sharply 0.42 0.20—representing reduction over 50%, during growing season (April October). Furthermore, relationship between scale installations impact was characterized pronounced non-linearity, large-scale plants (spanning >10,000 pixels) causing near-total collapse, driving toward near-zero. Collectively, these findings suggest sparse enhanced microclimatic regulation characteristic ecosystems provide greater resilience external disturbances, whereas high-biomass typical regions significantly more vulnerable perturbations. Based insights, advocate strategic prioritization adaptability future development, alongside incorporation restoration measures optimization facility mitigate potential disturbances. study emphasizes synergistic optimize energy transition conservation context variability, offering solid scientific basis national-scale planning site selection projects.

Language: Английский

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Effects of solar panels and management on pollinators and their interactions with plants in Southern French solar parks

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 307, P. 111209 - 111209

Published: May 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Sharing the light, impact of solar parks on plant productivity, soil microbes and soil organic matter

Plants People Planet, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 5, 2025

Societal Impact Statement Solar parks enable renewable energy production at a large scale, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the effects of this change in land use on vegetation and soil health are still largely unknown. In study, we determined impacts solar vegetation, biota carbon between below panels. We found lower plant microbial biomass panels, while no differences pools were observed. The results stress urgent need to design future that prevent degradation producing needed combat climate change. Summary parks, large‐scale arrays photovoltaic unique play an important role transition. panels create shade microclimate, potentially affecting growth inputs soil. These changes can influence key properties critical long‐term storage overall health. This study investigated impact commercial productivity colonisation roots by mycorrhizal fungi, organic matter (SOM), community composition litter decomposition 17 with contrasting shading levels across Netherlands. Soil samples collected microclimate (temperature, moisture) was measured continuously over growing season cumulative irradiation during relation modelled. Results show above‐ below‐ground as well significantly than did not find for SOM, stocks hot water extractable carbon. Plant related negatively extent light interception Furthermore, fungal bacterial F:B ratio compared rates differ. severe decrease combination maintained expected result decreased SOM time suggest guidelines ecologically sound park designs damage.

Language: Английский

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Creating wildlife habitat using artificial structures: a review of their efficacy and potential use in solar farms

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 99(5), P. 1848 - 1867

Published: May 12, 2024

ABSTRACT The biodiversity crisis is exacerbated by a growing human population modifying nearly three‐quarters of the Earth's land surface area for anthropogenic uses. Habitat loss and modification represent largest threat to finding ways offset species decline has been significant undertaking conservation. Landscape planning conservation strategies can enhance habitat suitability in human‐modified landscapes. Artificial structures such as artificial reefs, nest boxes, chainsaw hollows, burrows, hibernacula have all successfully implemented improve survival fragmented As global shift towards renewable energy sources continues rise, development photovoltaic systems exponentially. Large‐scale projects, solar farms large space requirements thus potential displace local wildlife. We discuss feasibility ‘conservoltaic systems’ – that incorporate elements tailored specifically wildlife potentially lessen impacts industrial (e.g., farms) through strategic landscape an understanding facilitate recolonization.

Language: Английский

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Carabid beetles in solar parks: assemblages under solar panels are severely impoverished compared to gaps between panel rows and edge areas

Journal of Insect Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 28(4), P. 763 - 776

Published: June 5, 2024

Abstract Renewable energies are a major tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Among renewables, solar parks key technology their expansion will strongly increase in the future. Hence, there is great need for research regarding impact on biodiversity. In this study, we investigated importance of three northern Germany as habitat carabid beetles. More specifically, determined how characteristics (temperature, vegetation structure), species richness, activity densities beetle assemblages vary between different locations within parks: areas under panels “UNDR”, gaps panel rows “BTW” at edge “EDGE”. We found that UNDR differed from BTW/EDGE terms conditions, richness mainly provided species- individual-poor subset already present made only small contribution total parks. BTW EDGE, other hand, slightly. Thus, narrow were similar beetles areas. Overall, parks—and thus also more species-rich EDGE BTW—almost exclusively widespread common non-threatened generalists, while conservation concern extremely rare. Implications insect The low should be considered when assessing biodiversity value parks, since large proportion these facilities covered with panels. Between larger kept free construction order provide habitats groups. conducted further improve overall

Language: Английский

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СВІТОВИЙ ДОСВІД ОЦІНКИ ВПЛИВУ СОНЯЧНИХ ЕЛЕКТРОСТАНЦІЙ НА ПТАХІВ

Біорізноманіття екологія та експериментальна біологія, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 26(1), P. 64 - 75

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Відновлювані джерела енергії, зокрема, й сонячні електростанції, в останні десятиліття набувають все більшого поширення. У зв’язку із значним зниженням собівартості сонячних панелей за два десятиліття, можна очікувати збльшення кількості фотоелектричних установок. Це призведе до формування і поширення нового виду антропогенно-трансформованих ландшафтів. За останнє були опубліковані роботи, присвячені оцінці впливу електростанцій на ґрунтовий покрив, рослинність, тваринний світ, орнітофауну. Основний акцент у цих дослідженях робиться факторі загибелі прогнозуванням пташиної смертності міру збільшення сумарної потужності та площі Дослідники доходять висновку про недостатність наявних даних для розуміння повної картини всіх складних взаємовз’язків між абіотичним біотичним складовими цього середовища існування. Станом сьогодні вже достеменно відомо, що смертність птахів об’єктах сонячної енергетики є найнижчою порівнянні як об’єктами, працюють викопному паливі, так інших джерелах відновлюваної енергії. Деякі результати свідчать навіть позитивний вплив установок біорізноманіття, іншими техногенно-трансформованими ландшафтами. Дослідження задокументували різні механізми, допомогою яких електростанції можуть впливати популяції птахів. Фізична присутність може порушити маршрути польоту місця гніздування. Однак також зазначається, відбиваючі поверхні приваблювати комах, що, свою чергу, надає нові можливості годування деяких видів Узагальнити наявну даний час інформацію світовий досвід оцінки покликана дана робота.

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