How much solar power can a coal mine hold?

The first-time analysis shows that over 300 surface coal mines recently out of commission could house around 103 GW of photovoltaic (PV) solar capacity, and upcoming closures of large operations could host an additional 185 GW of solar across 127 sites (see Methodology).

How can solar power and battery storage help mining companies?

By integrating solar power and battery storage, mining companies can stabilize their energy supply and reduce their reliance on diesel. Energy Cost Savings: Solar panels capture energy during the day, storing excess power in BESS to be used at night or during periods of high demand.

How can a solar energy system help the mining industry?

The system will help the mines reduce diesel consumption and power their operations with clean, reliable energy. Senegal is another great example. A 20 MW solar project, paired with 11 MWh of energy storage, will supply sustainable power to the national grid.

Could solar power be built on abandoned coal mines?

These abandoned coal mines are predisposed to renewables siting with grid-adjacent and even pre-cleared acreage. If these potential solar projects came to fruition, the world could build almost 300 GW of solar capacity on mined out lands by the end of 2030.

Could repurposing coal-to-solar power power a 103 GW solar power project?

GEM’s Global Coal Mine Tracker, a comprehensive dataset of coal mines, has identified 311 surface coal mines that have been idled and degraded since 2020. These abandoned mines sprawl over 2,089 km², an area nearly the size of Luxembourg. With repurposing, these coal-to-solar projects could site 103 GW of solar power capacity on derelict lands.

Can a solar farm be built on a coal mine?

While building a solar farm on a coal mine could require a slightly higher LCOE compared to an ideal greenfield project, public subsidies and incentives (like tax credits in the U.S.) can create economics that outperform greenfield projects.