Photovoltaic Alters Microhabitats and Soil–Vegetation Feedbacks in a Fragile Semi‐Arid Ecosystem

ABSTRACT The global expansion of photovoltaic (PV) energy has raised growing concern about its potential ecological impacts. In this study, we investigated the impacts of large‐scale, long‐term ecological PV installations on vegetation and soil properties in the semi‐arid region of Shenmu City, northern Shaanxi Province. Field surveys were conducted at three PV power stations that have been operating for approximately 10 years, each covering more than 100 ha. Using a stratified random sampling approach, we compared four distinct microhabitats—beneath photovoltaic panels (Z1, Z4) and inter‐panel spaces (Z2, Z3). A total of 45 vegetation samples and 135 soil samples were collected from per site to evaluate species diversity, biomass, and soil physicochemical properties. The results showed that PV‐induced shading led to a 31.4% reduction in plant species diversity, particularly affecting light‐dependent species, whereas drought‐tolerant plants such as Cleistogenes squarrosa exhibited resilience and niche differentiation. Plant biomass increased in zones Z3 and Z4, particularly with the microhabitats behind the PV panels (Z4), whereas shaded zones (Z2, Z3) exhibited noticeable topsoil coarsening. Although PV infrastructure initially disrupted soil nutrient cycling, our findings suggest localized recovery of soil fertility facilitated by vegetation litter accumulation and root exudates, indicating a delayed yet positive feedback loop between plant regrowth and soil restoration. Redundancy analysis identified total potassium and organic matter as the principal factors mediating vegetation–soil interactions, with species‐specific effects contributing to community restructuring. These findings underscore the crucial role of PV‐induced microhabitats in shaping ecological dynamics. Overall, these findings highlight the critical role of PV‐induced microhabitats in shaping soil–vegetation dynamics. The study provides an empirical basis for integrating renewable energy deployment with ecological restoration, offering insights for sustainable land‐use strategies that balance carbon neutrality objectives with ecosystem resilience.