Objective The effectiveness of elevating photovoltaic panel installation height in mitigating wind erosion and deposition by suppressing the Venturi effect was investigated, in order to provide a scientific basis for protecting native vegetation in desert regions and for renewable energy development in arid desert areas. Methods A combined approach of numerical simulation and field observations was employed to examine the influence of key parameters-including inflow wind speed, photovoltaic panel installation height, and array layout configuration-on wind field characteristics around the array. Results Data validation results showed that the maximum relative error between numerical simulation results and measured wind speeds was only 7%, demonstrating the reliability and accuracy of the research methodology. ① When airflow passed through the photovoltaic array, a deceleration zone formed on the windward side of the front row panels, while wind speeds on the leeward side and panel tops increased significantly, creating localized high-speed zones near the ground. In multi-row arrays, downstream wind speeds gradually decreased due to blocking by upstream rows, with alternating low-speed zones and vortex regions forming between panels, resulting in overall wind speed reduction. ② Leeward vortex intensity was the strongest behind the first row and decreased behind the second row. As incoming wind speed and installation height increased, vortex intensity initially intensified before stabilizing. ③ Double vortex structures formed both between the third-row panels and on their leeward side. Vortex intensity between panels was significantly higher than on the leeward side, exhibiting counterclockwise and clockwise rotation patterns, respectively. As wind speed and installation height increased, the vortex area expanded, with intensity first increasing and then stabilizing. ④ Increased wind speed significantly elevated sand particle volume fraction and expanded its influence zone. Increasing installation height improved airflow circulation beneath panels, reducing accumulation near panels, while adding array rows broadened the sand particle influence zone. Vortex interactions in multi-row structures further exacerbated particle dispersion and uneven distribution. Conclusion Increasing wind speed is the primary driver for enhancing sand particle volume fraction and diffusion range. Elevating installation height provides a critical pathway for airflow circulation beneath panels, thereby promoting transport and reducing accumulation. Meanwhile, increasing the number of array rows significantly expands the influence range through vortex interaction as the core mechanism, resulting in more uneven sand particle distribution.
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