On June 2, Nature Geoscience published the latest findings from the research group led by Professor Yang Qing of the School of Energy and ICARE, focusing on the impact of photovoltaic (PV) power plant construction on ecosystem carbon storage. The paper, titled “Increased terrestrial ecosystem carbon storage associated with global utility-scale photovoltaic installation,” marks a significant contribution to the field.
This is the first study to systematically assess the global impact of centralized PV power plant construction on ecosystem carbon storage and clarify its implications for the carbon footprint of PV systems. The results offer valuable theoretical guidance for the sustainable development of photovoltaic energy. The team also compiled a time-series dataset of PV installations that will support further research.
Huazhong University of Science and Technology is the sole corresponding institution, and Professor Yang Qing is the sole corresponding author. The research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under major and key projects.
Paper link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-025-01715-2
