Solar parks effect on soil properties: Initial results

Solar power generation in Greece has only been increasing since the 1980s to become the main source of renewable energy. Today, around 4.1 million m2 of Greek land is covered by solar parks. This article starts with a literature review on how the photovoltaic panels impact their environment and on the different existing management solutions. The panels modify at some extent their environment, creating a new microclimate potentially favoring new species (Armstrong et al., 2016). To increase land use value, some solar parks are part of an agrivoltaic system, being grazed or associated with crops (Kumpanalaisatit et al., 2022). Others can be managed into a haven for pollinators (Blaydes et al., 2021). This paper presents some initial data from three PV in Greece, located in different areas, one old and grazed and two without any additional management than the one commonly practiced. The research focuses on identifying the soil properties under and outside of the panels’ zone. In some sites, differences in pH and humidity between these two parts of the park have been identified, soil being more humid and acidic under the panels.