Solar farms often compete with agriculture and ecosystems, but repurposing abandoned mines could offer a solution. Abandoned open-pit mines could host solar installations covering around 48,000 km2—ten times the global solar footprint in 2018. Their total generation potential (4,764 TWh yr−1) could meet projected 2050 global electricity needs. Mediterranean countries show the highest readiness for mine-to-solar conversions.
Climate Crisis Blog
