Solar panels are transforming a desert in China

[Catherine]

China set up an area of solar panels in the Talatan desert. It is a vast total desert area. It is hot and dry and nothing grows.
The panels created areas of shade. The soil in the shade was not as hot and it started to retain moisture. The soil was more stable and less subjected to desert winds. 
Desert grasses have started to grow. It is a slow process, but a significant one. 

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/weather/topsto...39b3&ei=37

This is really important. Returning desert to fertile land means bringing the land back to life. If it happens because of solar panels that is even better.
Not only are the solar panels sustainable and ecologically friendly, they are actually bringing dead areas back to life.
Vegetation is a start. The plant roots will hold the soil together and help it to retain moisture. Decaying vegetation will make the soil more fertile.
Other vegetations could move in and create some biodiversity. After that there could be insect life and other animals.
It is hard to predict how far this will go. Just having desert grasses growing is more that they expected.
I hope they keep publishing reports so we can follow the progress.