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Impact of a small-scale solar park on temperature and vegetation parameters obtained from Landsat 8

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  • Hurduc, Alexandra
  • Ermida, Sofia L.
  • Brito, Miguel C.
  • Göttsche, Frank-M.
  • DaCamara, Carlos

Abstract

The effects of photovoltaic solar parks on the local environment are a growing topic of interest, as more solar parks are installed worldwide. Most studies focus on large solar parks, as these usually have more availability for both in situ and remote sensing data. Here, remote sensing data of surface temperature and vegetation were used to assess the impact of a relatively small utility-scale solar park (46 MW) in Portugal, in a region with a Mediterranean climate. Results show that the impact translates into a seasonal pattern, with positive surface temperature anomalies during the colder months and negative ones during the summer, which overall reduces the amplitude of the seasonal cycle. Comparing the operational period of the solar park with the one before its installation yields an increase in surface temperature for the control area of 1.74 °C contrasting with a decrease of 0.23 °C in the solar park area, during summertime (JJA). For the winter months (DJF), surface temperature increased for the solar park and control areas, by 0.4 °C and 1.44 °C, respectively. The effect is similar but less pronounced for anomalies in the inferred air temperature. For vegetation, negative anomalies in winter and little to no change during hotter months are observed.

Suggested Citation

  • Hurduc, Alexandra & Ermida, Sofia L. & Brito, Miguel C. & Göttsche, Frank-M. & DaCamara, Carlos, 2024. "Impact of a small-scale solar park on temperature and vegetation parameters obtained from Landsat 8," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:221:y:2024:i:c:s0960148123017421
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2023.119827
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chang, Rui & Shen, Yanbo & Luo, Yong & Wang, Bo & Yang, Zhenbin & Guo, Peng, 2018. "Observed surface radiation and temperature impacts from the large-scale deployment of photovoltaics in the barren area of Gonghe, China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 131-137.
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    1. Li, Xiaochun & He, Ze & Xia, Siyou & Yang, Yu, 2024. "Greenness change associated with construction and operation of photovoltaic solar energy in China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    2. Mao, Hongzhi & Liu, Weili & Chen, Xie & Tian, Zhiyong & Zarrella, Angelo & Luo, Yongqiang & Fan, Jianhua & Wu, Wentao, 2025. "A method on mapping the distribution of photovoltaic power stations in complex terrain regions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).

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