Abstract:

Photovoltaic (PV) solar farms serve as a renewable energy source and help reduce carbon emissions. They can cause changes in land use. These changes may have positive and negative effects on vegetation diversity and local ecosystems. Solar panels create shade and alter the microclimate, such as increasing soil moisture and lowering surface temperature. These changes can improve growth conditions for some plant species. Data from 2016 to 2024 in studied Asian countries show an average increase in 2-meter air temperature by 2 to 2.5 Kelvin. This trend correlates with a moderate improvement in the NDVI index (r=0.3–0.45), indicating positive effects of solar farms on microclimate regulation and vegetation cover. Overall, the data suggest increased solar potential alongside opportunities and challenges for ecological sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions of Asia.