Assessing soil pollution concerns in proximity to Fence-type solar photovoltaic system installations

Hasnain Yousuf; Muhammad Aleem Zahid; Polgampola Chamani Madara; Jaljalalul Abedin Jony; Sangheon Park; Jae Chun Song; Junsin Yi

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32156

Assessing soil pollution concerns in proximity to Fence-type solar photovoltaic system installations

Heliyon. 2024 May 30;10(11):e32156. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32156. eCollection 2024 Jun 15.

Authors

Hasnain Yousuf¹, Muhammad Aleem Zahid², Polgampola Chamani Madara², Jaljalalul Abedin Jony¹, Sangheon Park³, Jae Chun Song⁴, Junsin Yi³

Affiliations

¹ Interdisciplinary Program in Photovoltaic System Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
² Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
³ College of Information and Communication Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
⁴ Corporate Collaboration Center, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.

Abstract

This study conducted in the Kyungpook National University Eco-friendly Agriculture Research Centre between 2022 and 2023 investigates the environmental implications of fence-type solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in diverse agricultural settings. Despite the increasing adoption of solar energy for climate change mitigation, there is a noticeable gap in research regarding the potential environmental impact of these specific PV systems. Focusing on heavy metal concentrations, including Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Arsenic (As), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Hexavalent Chromium (Cr⁺⁶), Zinc (Zn), and Nickel (Ni), across distinct fields, the study reveals significant fluctuations. Notably, the Rice Field experienced a substantial increase in Cd levels from 0.47 mg/kg in 2022 to 1.55 mg/kg in 2023, while Cu and Pb concentrations decreased to acceptable levels in 2023. The findings underscore the dynamic nature of heavy metal concentrations, emphasizing the importance of continuous soil quality monitoring to prevent contamination. This research provides valuable insights into the impact of fence-type solar PV system installations on agricultural soil quality, emphasizing the urgent need to secure these ecosystems through vigilant monitoring and environmental management practices.

Keywords: Environmental impact; Environmental monitoring; Fence-type solar installations; Heavy metal contamination; Soil contamination assessment; Solar energy; Sustainable agriculture.