Harnessing the solar photovoltaic potential in global mining areas: Energy locations for the future

In response to climate change, the global energy structure is undergoing a substantial transformation from fossil fuels to renewable energy resources, fostering the development of a decarbonized economy. Low-carbon energy production plays a crucial role in this transition, with solar energy emerging as a particularly promising alternative. The solar photovoltaic (PV) industry has experienced remarkable growth, with installations now present in hundreds of countries. According to statistics from the International Energy Agency, the global cumulative installed PV capacity has reached 1.6 terawatts (TW). However, as PV system deployment continues to expand, the conflict between solar infrastructure and land use has become an increasingly pressing issue. The extensive land footprint required for PV installations can disrupt existing land uses, including agriculture,1 and may have adverse implications for biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. A recent study by Kruitwagen2 underscores that a significant proportion of global PV installations are located on agricultural land, raising concerns over potential trade-offs between food production and energy generation. Although fixed and floating water-based PV systems offer promising alternatives,3 their adoption is limited by high installation costs, challenging climate conditions, and environmental concerns related to marine ecosystems.

The growing number of closed and abandoned mines worldwide has resulted in extensive areas of pits, waste dumps, tailings ponds, and subsidence zones.4 These degraded lands, which often encompass substantial land resources, offer considerable potential for the deployment of large-scale PV systems. As the global energy transition accelerates, there is increasing recognition of the importance of integrating ecological restoration and carbon accounting into the life cycle assessment of the mining industry to facilitate low-carbon development. Although policies and laws are placing greater emphasis on mine closure and rehabilitation, such as the inclusion of a chapter on the “Ecological Restoration of Mining Areas” in China’s revised Mineral Resources Law.5 However, restoration effects are frequently hindered by funding limitations, a lack of technique expertise, and inadequate long-term monitoring. The financial burden of land reclamation and post-closure site management poses additional challenges for mining enterprises, particularly in extremely poor regions of the Southern Hemisphere, where investment is difficult to attract. Within this context, the installation of large-scale PV systems may appeal to institutional investors and energy companies, potentially mitigating the environmental footprint associated with both mining activities and renewable energy development on post-mining lands.

Additionally, mining concession areas often extend beyond the boundaries of actual mining sites, offering ample space for the installation of PV systems. Furthermore, the modifications in soil properties and microclimate conditions associated with PV installations can contribute positively to the stabilization of vegetation communities. The deployment of PV systems on reclaimed mining land thus holds the potential to generate economic returns while simultaneously promoting environmental restoration, resulting in a mutually beneficial outcome (Figure 1A). Consequently, a growing number of countries are initiating pilot projects to install PV systems on former mining sites, recognizing their dual potential for ecological rehabilitation and sustainable energy production.