Mining the Sun: Benefits of Solar Energy on Former Mine Sites
An affordable path to repurposing former mine lands and brownfields into clean energy hubs.
If clean energy continues to be sited the way it always has been, the U.S. will need an area the size of Texas to meet our climate targets. Developing new large-scale energy projects on natural lands has long been thought to be the most affordable option, but it also can create local conflict and negatively impact nature.
Fortunately, there’s a promising solution. Mining the Sun, a report by The Nature Conservancy coming later in 2023, suggests that strategically siting new energy infrastructure on degraded lands like mining sites, landfills and brownfields can cost-effectively transform these sites into clean energy hubs that contribute significantly to the nation's clean energy goals.
The Mining the Sun report will provide resources for energy developers and landowners interested in building clean energy projects on mine lands, brownfields, and landfills. It will include overviews of relevant state and federal policies, economic analyses, community engagement principles and maps showing brownfield and mine sites viable for energy development.
The EPA RE-Powering America's Land initiative has identified enough mine lands, brownfields, and landfill sites to build half the solar capacity needed to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Mining the Sun: The Benefits
5 Benefits of Solar Energy on Former Mines and Brownfields:
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Existing infrastructure:
Mines often have pre-existing transmission lines, roads, and other infrastructure that clean energy projects can leverage. For example, solar arrays need to be installed on level land, which many former mines and quarries have already graded. Taking advantage of the previously built infrastructure can be one way to help keep project costs down.
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Economic revitalization:
Coal mines were once economic drivers for many communities, but the energy workforce opportunities have dwindled with their closure. Revitalizing mine lands with new clean energy projects can provide new revenue streams, like lease income for landowners, and the possibility of construction jobs.
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Meeting electricity demands:
To achieve climate goals, the U.S. will have to convert existing electricity to cleaner sources and develop new clean electric supply to support increased electric use as more Americans switch to electric vehicles and heating sources. Clean energy development on mine lands and other brownfields can expand to meet the growing need for reliable electricity supplies across the country.
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Minimizing environmental impact:
When renewables are sited on natural areas, they disturb the fragile ecosystems and potentially create social conflict in the local areas. Building on lands that have already been disturbed, like mines and brownfields, can avoid disrupting the habitats that are home to many plants and animals.
Mining the Sun in Action:
TNC is working with energy developers and landowners across the U.S.to test out Mining the Sun cost-reduction strategies. Here’s what we’re doing:
- Selecting Ideal Sites: We are focusing on mine sites with favorable characteristics such as size, topography, and accessibility, which are well-suited for new clean energy development.
- Streamlining Research: We are monitoring and researching opportunities to lower the overall development costs associated with transforming these sites into clean energy hubs.
- Capitalizing on Incentives: We are leveraging various federal incentives to drive down costs, including:
- Inflation Reduction Act: Taking advantage of the new 10 percent tax credit provided in the Inflation Reduction Act, specifically designed to promote development on mine lands and brownfields.
- Tax Credits for Low-Income Census Tracts: Exploring opportunities to utilize tax credits for projects located in low-income census tracts, further enhancing the economic benefits to local communities.
- Grant Funding: Submitting applications to the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Energy on Mine Lands program, which offers additional support for clean energy projects on former mine sites.
- Inflation Reduction Act: Taking advantage of the new 10 percent tax credit provided in the Inflation Reduction Act, specifically designed to promote development on mine lands and brownfields.
The full Mining the Sun report will be available for download in 2023. For more information on Mining the Sun, please contact Nels Johnson, TNC's Senior Advisor for Renewable Energy.
More on Mines to Solar
Mining the Sun: How Nevada and West Virginia are Reclaiming Former Mine Lands with Solar Panels
Nevada and West Virginia, two states with very different identities, are finding themselves on the cutting edge of clean energy opportunity.
The Road to Renewables
Through its Solar on Mine Lands Initiative, The Nature Conservancy is working with stakeholders to facilitate siting solar farms on former mine lands and brownfields in West Virginia and beyond.