An observational study on the microclimate and soil thermal regimes under solar photovoltaic arrays.

• Microclimate and soil characteristics under Gobi PV arrays were first observed. • South-facing PV panels reduced wind speed with the prevailing northerly wind below. • PV panels had buffer effects on microclimate and soil thermal regime change. • Annual net radiation reduction was up to 92.68% since the shading of PV. • The significant increase in relative humidity during winter was caused by snow cover. The high demand for low-carbon energy sources to mitigate climate change has prompted a rapid increase in ground-mounted solar parks. The implementation of photovoltaic (PV) significantly impacted the local climate and ecosystem, which are both poorly understood. To investigate the effects of a typical solar park on the Gobi ecological system, local microclimate and soil thermal regimes were measured year-round under and between PV arrays, at an applied solar park sited in Xinjiang, China. Our results demonstrated their seasonal and diurnal changes. Under solar PV arrays, the mean annual net radiation and wind speed decreased by 92.68 % and 50.53 % respectively. In contrast, PV panels caused an increase of the rear sides air by 10.12 % with 0.87 °C. South-facing PV panels reduced wind speed with the prevailing northerly wind below. In addition, the relative humidity rapidly decreased when snow covered the ground, but slightly increased from April to September. We found the soil under PV panels was cooler and tended to be a sink of energy during spring and summer whereas was more often a source during autumn and winter compared with the soil between PV panels. Observed data developed the understanding of the energy processes of solar parks in Gobi ecosystems and provided evidence to support the sustainable management of the solar park. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]