Photovoltaic Power Station Construction Alters Soil C, N, and P Stoichiometric Characteristics in Alpine Meadows

ABSTRACT Solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation is crucial for optimizing the energy structure. The vast area of grassland has become the preferred site for building PV stations. The microenvironment changes caused by the construction of PV power stations have a significant impact on soil nutrient redistribution. However, the soil nutrient status, patterns of stoichiometric distribution, and key driving factors of PV plants are unclear, particularly in alpine meadow regions. To address this issue, multiple plant and soil nutrient variables closely related to soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus stoichiometry were analyzed in heterogeneous PV areas (periphery, between panels, and under panels) in the eastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Compared with the plots around the PV panels, the plant diversity index between panels increased but the aboveground biomass decreased by 18.52%. The installation of PV panels increased soil moisture content and reduced soil bulk density. Soil C∶N did not change much, whereas C∶P and N∶P increased by 11.52% and 10.39%, respectively. MBC∶MBN and MBC∶MBP increased with the increase in shading intensity. Soil enzyme activity was greater in the inter‐panel than in under‐panel areas, and both increased in comparison to the surrounding plots. Structural equation model analysis showed that plant diversity and soil enzyme activity were the common strong driving factors affecting the soil C∶N∶P stoichiometry. The study suggested that vegetation changes in the PV panels of alpine meadow directly affected the soil C, N, and P cycles and stoichiometry, and exerted a short positive effect on soil nutrient recovery.