The demand for renewable energy is becoming increasingly apparent, but a significant challenge lies in the limited availability of land. To limit environmental impacts associated with new development in previously undisturbed lands, this study investigates the potential to convert abandoned mines in Florida and Pennsylvania into solar farms, aligning with federal and state-level clean energy goals and climate objectives.
Thirteen abandoned mines in Florida and five in Pennsylvania were identified as suitable sites for solar farm development. These solar installations have the potential to generate up to 22% of Florida’s and 0.017% of Pennsylvania’s annual electricity needs. Employing various criteria such as acreage, slope, aspect, proximity to infrastructure, and insolation, the research assesses the feasibility of this conversion using advanced modeling techniques.
The study was conducted in two phases: first, an in-depth spatial suitability assessment utilizing GIS tools to evaluate potential mine sites based on specified criteria. Second, solar power potential and carbon emission reduction are estimated based on the use of two different solar panel setups with different installed capacity and of which one is static and the other one solar-tracking.
This study underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing environmental and energy challenges by advancing our understanding of sustainable land use practices and contributing to the collective pursuit of clean energy objectives.
Mariotti, E., & Engström, J. (2025). Transforming abandoned mines into solar farms: a pathway to renewable energy development and sustainable land use. Environmental Research: Energy 2, 015013.