[Objective] To investigate the impact of long-term photovoltaic power plant operations on the physicochemical properties of soils in three typical ecologically fragile areas: deserts, Gobi regions, and wastelands. [Method] This study selected three photovoltaic power stations in the Hexi Corridor region of Gansu Province that have been in operation for over 10 years: the Huanghuatan Xincheng PV Power Station in Gulang County, the Sanduntan PV Power Station in Minle County, and the Hongshagang Huadian PV Power Station in Minqin County (located in sandy terrain, Gobi desert, and wasteland respectively). Through field sampling and laboratory analysis, this study systematically investigated the variations and growth rates of key soil indicators in the 0-60 cm soil layer. These indicators, including soil bulk density (BD), soil water content (SWC), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and total potassium (TK), were examined across three photovoltaic power stations with different underlying surfaces at specific locations: Front eave of photovoltaic panel (FP), Underneath photovoltaic panel (UP), Interval between photovoltaic panels (IP), and outside the power station (CK). [Results] The construction of photovoltaic power plants has significantly altered soil water distribution and nutrient conditions, with varying degrees and directions of impact. BD and EC in desert soil decreased by 10.04% and 25.19%, respectively, while SWC and TN significantly increased by 97.48% and 56.00% (p < 0.05). Increases in SOC, TP, and TK ranged between 11% and 15%. Significant increases were observed in Gobi soil SWC, EC, SOC, and TP (p < 0.05), reaching 375.19%, 43.55%, 24.79%, and 24.06%, respectively. TN increased by 14.13%, while BD and pH decreased by 20.30% and 6.04%, respectively. All indicators of the wasteland soil showed positive improvements, with SWC and TK exhibiting the largest increases at 54.93% and 83.55% respectively. The remaining indicators increased by 14% to 19%. The magnitude of change in each indicator decreased with increasing soil depth, with the most significant reduction occurring in the 0-20 cm soil layer (p < 0.05). [Conclusion] The long-term operation of photovoltaic power stations has a soil improvement effect on all three soil types, with the most significant improvement observed in the topsoil layer (0-20 cm) of the Gobi region.