Photovoltaic power plants on agricultural land – are they really green?

dc.contributor.authorKlimentova-Nikolova, Yanina
dc.contributor.authorPetrova, Slaveya
dc.contributor.authorNikolov, Bogdan
dc.contributor.authorPopov, Rumen
dc.contributor.authorLyubomirov, Slavi
dc.contributor.authorAsenov, Stanislav
dc.contributor.authorKanevski, Hristo
dc.contributor.authorDakova, Megi
dc.contributor.authorAngelov, Nikola
dc.contributor.authorKazandzhieva, Svetlozara
dc.contributor.authorYordanov, Emil
dc.date.accessioned2025-06-21T19:54:14Z
dc.date.available2025-06-21T19:54:14Z
dc.date.issued2025-01-22
dc.description.abstractPhotovoltaic systems are a rapidly developing technology that plays a crucial role in the transition to clean energy and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is important to consider their potential impacts on the environment and biodiversity, especially when installing them on agricultural land. The aim of this study is to analyze and assess the impact of photovoltaic power plants (PPPs) on soil properties, microclimate and biodiversity. Renewable energy infrastructure can impact biodiversity in different ways during its construction, operation and maintenance, as well as during decommissioning or recommissioning. Potential impacts of PPPs on biodiversity include direct morbidity and mortality of wildlife species, habitat loss and degradation, habitat fragmen-tation and barrier effects, habitat alteration or creation, behavioral changes, physiological changes and displacement, infrared wave impacts, impacts on ecosystem services, indirect impacts, and cumulative impacts at the population level. Constructions with photovoltaic panels can affect soil and microclimate conditions by trapping precipitation and atmospheric deposition, changing surface albedo, increasing ground shading, and influencing wind speed. Significant changes in these parameters have been found in all studied locations, which can lead to changes in species composition, richness and diversity. The results obtained for the main negative impacts of PPPs on agricultural lands on the environment can be used to solve a wide range of management tasks such as control over investment proposals in the field of photovoltaics, etc.
dc.identifier.issn1313-9940
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.uni-plovdiv.bg/handle/store/625
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherPlovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski"
dc.subjectalternative energy sources
dc.subjectrenewable energy
dc.subjectenvironmental impact
dc.subjectsoil degradation
dc.subjectbiodiversity loss
dc.titlePhotovoltaic power plants on agricultural land – are they really green?
dc.typeArticle
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