Combined ecological and economic benefits of the solar photovoltaic industry in arid sandy ecosystems

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and the vegetation under them consist of a combined system that could provide not only clean electrical power but also an effective preventive measure against wind erosion in sandy ecosystems. Here, by evaluating the effectiveness of the two-tier model, this study focused on the socioeconomic and environmental co-benefits of the solar PV industry in sandy ecosystems. The results showed that the ecosystem services provided by the combined system land were 24 times higher than those provide by natural recovering land. The combined system could achieve $5258.86 x 10(4) in benefits per year, including $3897.48 x 10(4) from electricity and $1361.38 x 10(4) from ecosystem services value. The ecosystem services value could reach 34.93% of the electricity benefits value and become a vital part of the total valuation. The results indicated that electricity benefits and considerable ecosystem value could be generated from the combined systems. These combined systems have great potential for combating desertification and should be considered appropriate public investment projects with high economic and social rates of return in arid areas. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.