IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jlands/v14y2025i6p1294-d1681069.html

Land Use Dynamics and Ecological Effects of Photovoltaic Development in Xinjiang: A Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Babierjiang Dilixiati

    (School of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
    Xinjiang Land and Resources Information Center, Urumqi 830017, China
    Xinjiang Lidar Engineering Technology Center, Urumqi 830002, China)

  • Hongwei Wang

    (School of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China)

  • Lichun Gong

    (School of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
    Xinjiang Land and Resources Information Center, Urumqi 830017, China
    Xinjiang Lidar Engineering Technology Center, Urumqi 830002, China)

  • Jianxin Wei

    (School of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
    Xinjiang Land and Resources Information Center, Urumqi 830017, China
    Xinjiang Lidar Engineering Technology Center, Urumqi 830002, China)

  • Cheng Lei

    (School of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
    Xinjiang Land and Resources Information Center, Urumqi 830017, China
    Xinjiang Lidar Engineering Technology Center, Urumqi 830002, China)

  • Lingzhi Dang

    (School of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China)

  • Xinyuan Zhang

    (School of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China)

  • Wen Gu

    (School of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China)

  • Huanjun Zhang

    (School of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China)

  • Jiayue Zhang

    (School of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China)

Abstract

As an important part of the emerging energy portfolio, the coordinated development of the photovoltaic (PV) industry and ecological environment is a core factor in realizing the high-quality development of the energy industry. Xinjiang, located in northwestern China, possesses vast open land, abundant solar radiation, and low land-use conflict, making it a strategic hub for large-scale PV power station deployment. However, the region’s fragile ecological background is highly sensitive to land-use changes induced by PV infrastructure expansion. Therefore, scientifically evaluating the ecological impacts of PV construction is essential to support environmentally informed operation and maintenance (O&M) strategies.This study investigates the spatial distribution of PV installations and their macro-scale ecological effects across Xinjiang from 2000 to 2020. Utilizing multi-temporal satellite remote sensing data and geospatial analysis techniques on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, we constructed a Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) model to quantify the long-term ecological response to PV development. It was found that PV installations were concentrated in unutilized land (37.10%) and grassland (34.45%), with the smallest proportion being found in forested land (1.68%). Nearly 70% of the PV areas showed an improving trend in the ecological environment index, and there were significantly more ecological quality-improving areas than degraded areas (69% vs. 31%). There were significant regional differences, and the highest ecological environment index was found in 2020 for the Northern Xinjiang Altay PV area (0.30), while the lowest (0.10) was observed in Hetian in southern Xinjiang. The results of this study provide a spatial optimization basis for the integration of PV development and ecological protection in Xinjiang and provide practical guidance to help the government to formulate a comprehensive management strategy of “PV + ecology”, which will help to realize the synergistic development of clean energy development and ecological safety.

Suggested Citation

  • Babierjiang Dilixiati & Hongwei Wang & Lichun Gong & Jianxin Wei & Cheng Lei & Lingzhi Dang & Xinyuan Zhang & Wen Gu & Huanjun Zhang & Jiayue Zhang, 2025. "Land Use Dynamics and Ecological Effects of Photovoltaic Development in Xinjiang: A Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:6:p:1294-:d:1681069
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1294/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1294/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Elminshawy, Nabil A.S. & Osama, Amr & Gagliano, Antonio & Oterkus, Erkan & Tina, Giuseppe Marco, 2024. "A technical and economic evaluation of floating photovoltaic systems in the context of the water-energy nexus," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 303(C).
    2. Chang, Rui & Luo, Yong & Zhu, Rong, 2020. "Simulated local climatic impacts of large-scale photovoltaics over the barren area of Qinghai, China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 478-489.
    3. Zareie, Zahra & Ahmadi, Rouhollah & Asadi, Mahdi, 2024. "A comprehensive numerical investigation of a branch-inspired channel in roll-bond type PVT system using design of experiments approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 286(C).
    4. Kaldellis, John K. & Kapsali, Marina & Kavadias, Kosmas A., 2014. "Temperature and wind speed impact on the efficiency of PV installations. Experience obtained from outdoor measurements in Greece," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 612-624.
    5. Cheng, Guishi & Luo, Ercheng & Zhao, Ying & Yang, Yihao & Chen, Binbin & Cai, Youcheng & Wang, Xiaoqiang & Dong, Changqing, 2023. "Analysis and prediction of green hydrogen production potential by photovoltaic-powered water electrolysis using machine learning in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Athanasios Zisos & Dimitrios Chatzopoulos & Andreas Efstratiadis, 2024. "The Concept of Spatial Reliability Across Renewable Energy Systems—An Application to Decentralized Solar PV Energy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Qian He & Mingbin Zhao & Shujie Li & Xuefang Li & Zuoxun Wang, 2025. "Machine Learning Prediction of Photovoltaic Hydrogen Production Capacity Using Long Short-Term Memory Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-17, January.
    3. Al-Amri, Fahad & Saeed, Farooq & Mujeebu, Muhammad Abdul, 2022. "Novel dual-function racking structure for passive cooling of solar PV panels –thermal performance analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 100-113.
    4. Saidan, Motasem & Albaali, Abdul Ghani & Alasis, Emil & Kaldellis, John K., 2016. "Experimental study on the effect of dust deposition on solar photovoltaic panels in desert environment," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 499-505.
    5. Mingzhi Zhao & Rong Yu & Chun Chang & Daorina Bao & Aohan Mei & Yingjie Liu & Ningbo Wang, 2023. "Effect of Sand and Dust Shading on the Output Characteristics of Solar Photovoltaic Modules in Desertification Areas," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-17, December.
    6. Obiwulu, Anthony Umunnakwe & Erusiafe, Nald & Olopade, Muteeu Abayomi & Nwokolo, Samuel Chukwujindu, 2020. "Modeling and optimization of back temperature models of mono-crystalline silicon modules with special focus on the effect of meteorological and geographical parameters on PV performance," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 404-431.
    7. Singh, Rashmi & Sharma, Madhu & Rawat, Rahul & Banerjee, Chandan, 2020. "Field Analysis of three different silicon-based Technologies in Composite Climate Condition – Part II – Seasonal assessment and performance degradation rates using statistical tools," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P1), pages 2102-2117.
    8. Kaplanis, S. & Kaplani, E. & Kaldellis, J.K., 2022. "PV temperature and performance prediction in free-standing, BIPV and BAPV incorporating the effect of temperature and inclination on the heat transfer coefficients and the impact of wind, efficiency and ageing," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 235-249.
    9. Krzysztof Mik & Paweł Zawadzki & Jan Tarłowski & Marcin Bugaj & Piotr Grygiel & Sebastian Bykuć, 2021. "Multifaceted Analyses of Four Different Prototype Lightweight Photovoltaic Modules of Novel Structure," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-16, April.
    10. Thopil, George Alex & Sachse, Christiaan Eddie & Lalk, Jörg & Thopil, Miriam Sara, 2020. "Techno-economic performance comparison of crystalline and thin film PV panels under varying meteorological conditions: A high solar resource southern hemisphere case," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    11. Azaioud, Hakim & Farnam, Arash & Knockaert, Jos & Vandevelde, Lieven & Desmet, Jan, 2024. "Efficiency optimisation and converterless PV integration by applying a dynamic voltage on an LVDC backbone," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 356(C).
    12. Chikh, Madjid & Berkane, Smain & Mahrane, Achour & Sellami, Rabah & Yassaa, Noureddine, 2021. "Performance assessment of a 400 kWp multi- technology photovoltaic grid-connected pilot plant in arid region of Algeria," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 488-501.
    13. Olmuş, Umutcan & Güzelel, Yunus Emre & Büyükalaca, Orhan, 2025. "Comparative numerical investigation of different PVT collector configurations: Energy and exergy analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    14. Besharati Fard, Moein & Moradian, Parisa & Emarati, Mohammadreza & Ebadi, Mehdi & Gholamzadeh Chofreh, Abdoulmohammad & Klemeŝ, Jiří Jaromír, 2022. "Ground-mounted photovoltaic power station site selection and economic analysis based on a hybrid fuzzy best-worst method and geographic information system: A case study Guilan province," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    15. Gao, Xifeng & Li, Yichu & Liu, Mengmeng & Lian, Jijian & Ma, Qian & Zhang, Ju & Wu, Sheng & Cui, Yiming, 2025. "An exploratory framework for analyzing the impact of salt deposition on offshore photovoltaic system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C).
    16. Wang, Derek D. & Sueyoshi, Toshiyuki, 2017. "Assessment of large commercial rooftop photovoltaic system installations: Evidence from California," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 45-55.
    17. Yuan, Wenlin & Wang, Xinqi & Su, Chengguo & Cheng, Chuntian & Liu, Zhe & Wu, Zening, 2021. "Stochastic optimization model for the short-term joint operation of photovoltaic power and hydropower plants based on chance-constrained programming," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    18. Chen, Liutao & Lin, Zinan & Zhou, Qi & Zhang, Shihong & Li, Mengying & Wang, Zhe, 2025. "Impacts of photovoltaics and integrated green roofs on urban climate: Experimental insights for urban land surface modelling," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    19. Ramli, Makbul A.M. & Prasetyono, Eka & Wicaksana, Ragil W. & Windarko, Novie A. & Sedraoui, Khaled & Al-Turki, Yusuf A., 2016. "On the investigation of photovoltaic output power reduction due to dust accumulation and weather conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 836-844.
    20. Diemuodeke, E.O. & Addo, A. & Oko, C.O.C. & Mulugetta, Y. & Ojapah, M.M., 2019. "Optimal mapping of hybrid renewable energy systems for locations using multi-criteria decision-making algorithm," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 461-477.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:6:p:1294-:d:1681069. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.