A Comparative Study on Micro-meteorology and Vegetation Effects of Centralized Photovoltaic Power Stations in High-Altitude Desert Regions

To investigate the differences in microclimatic and eco-environmental effects of centralized photovoltaic (PV) power stations under diverse climatic backgrounds, high-altitude desert PV stations in Qinghai Province representing hyper-arid, arid, and semi-arid climates were selected. Micro-meteorology factors and vegetation evolution characteristics inside and outside the PV arrays were analyzed by employing paired inside-outside observations and long-time-series NDVI retrieval. It is indicated that the micro-meteorology and eco-environmental effects exhibit differential responses along the aridity gradient, with water availability identified as the core regulatory factor. A significant “heat island effect” with no vegetation recovery was observed in the hyper-arid zone; nocturnal warming and slight humidification with a trend of vegetation recovery were exhibited in the arid zone; while positive ecosystem feedback was demonstrated in the semi-arid zone, where the shading and wind-blocking effects of PV modules facilitated soil moisture conservation, leading to rapid vegetation recovery that offset physical warming through transpiration cooling. The evolutionary pattern of PV ecological effects transitioning from physical disturbance to ecological regulation is elucidated, and the feasibility of synergy between PV development and ecological restoration under suitable water conditions is confirmed.