From holes in the earth to powerhouses: The solar potential of abandoned pit mines is huge.

Submitted ⁨⁨6⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago⁩ by ⁨silence7@slrpnk.net⁩ to ⁨energy@slrpnk.net⁩

https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/07/from-holes-in-the-earth-to-powerhouses-the-solar-potential-of-abandoned-pit-mines/

Turning abandoned open-pit mines into solar farms could resolve growing land-use tensions and unlock vast, underused infrastructure for renewable energy deployment.

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pageflight@lemmy.world ⁨6⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago
Interesting. A little more specific than “hey free land” though it doesn’t seem like it being a pit is actually a factor.

Abandoned mines tend to have decent road access and solid connections to the grid, ready-made infrastructure that could be useful for solar installations. What’s more, solar projects on abandoned mine sites could also help revitalize mining community economies.

Solar could also aid restoration by keeping bare soils from drying out or blowing away and making it easier for plants to get established.

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