The following list identifies those solar farms that have been commissioned and/or proposed to be located on a former mining site. Since many of these places have been severely impacted by mine operations, installing a solar array allows the impacted land to become productive in the creation of renewable energy, while not disturbing natural lands or those which are suitable for agriculture.
As the list shows, to date, there are not very many examples in the United States. Hopefully, as solar energy continues to grow in popularity and upfront costs continue to decline, more examples will come online in the next decade.
Kentucky
Martiki Coal Mine near Pilgrim = 200 MW solar farm on 1,200 acres (2024)
Nevada
Bullfrog Gold Mine near Pahrump = ? MW on 1,700 acres (proposed)
New Mexico
Chevron Molybdenum Mine near Questa – 1.0 MW solar farm on 20 acres (2011)
Pennsylvania
Maple Hill Coal Mine near Portage = 100 MW solar farm on 700 acres (2022)
Virginia
Mineral Gap Coal Mine in Mineral Garp = 3.5 MW solar farm on 22 acres (proposed)
Red Onion Coal Mine near Dante = 50 MW solar farm on 1,200 acres (2024/5)
West Virginia
Hobet Coal Mine on the Boone/Lincoln County boundary = 250 MW solar farm on 3,000 acres (proposed)
SOURCES:
- https://www.ecmag.com/section/green-building/virginia-coal-mines-repurposed-solar-farms
- https://www.nature.org/en-us/newsroom/virginia-central-appalachia-solar-development/
- https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-priorities/tackle-climate-change/climate-change-stories/nevada-west-virginia-solar-energy-former-mines/
- https://foxlexington.com/news/kentucky/martin-county-solar-farm-to-replace-coal-site/
- https://www.wvpublic.org/energy-environment/2022-04-05/solar-panel-farm-planned-on-former-w-va-coal-mine-site
- https://e360.yale.edu/digest/kentucky-to-build-states-largest-solar-project-on-former-coal-mine
- https://energynews.us/newsletter/wvs-largest-solar-farm-to-be-built-on-massive-former-coal-mine/
- https://www.dpfacilities.com/news-releases/mineral-gap-data-centers-receives-coal-mine-reuse-funding-for-solar-farm/
- https://renewablesnow.com/news/cpv-building-100-mw-solar-farm-on-coal-mine-in-pennsylvania-742145/
- https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/08/competitive-power-ventures-solar-ppa-hydro-aluminum/
- https://www.tribdem.com/news/local_news/capturing-the-sun-solar-power-farm-construction-begins/article_55653ae8-bf3e-11eb-a289-8784504cafdc.html
- https://www.cnet.com/culture/new-mexico-puts-old-mine-to-solar-use/
- https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/regulatory-tweak-backed-by-miners-conservationists-aims-to-direct-more-solar-to-scarred-mining-lands
- https://archive.epa.gov/epapages/newsroom_archive/newsreleases/60f256158d5cb5e0852570d8005e1643.html
- https://nsr.durangoherald.com/amp/22585-chevron-builds-solar-plant-at-new-mexico-tailings-site
problogic
Panethos 