US DOE launches US$500m mines-to-clean energy programme

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
At least two of the projects funded for clean energy on mine land will have to include solar energy. Image: Dominik Lückmann via Unsplash.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has launched a US$500 million programme that will install clean energy projects on current or former mine lands across the country.

Solar PV, microgrids and/or energy storage are among the technologies the programme will be supporting, and at least two funded projects will need to include solar energy.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The DOE is looking into opportunities for domestic solar manufacturers to supply the projects.

The push to find domestic solar manufacturers for the programme comes a month after US President Joe Biden authorised the DOE to use the Defense Production Act (DPA) to accelerate the production of PV modules and module components in the US.

The Biden Administration aims to fund clean energy projects on mining land that would benefit the communities nearby, in particular disadvantaged communities, but also create new jobs and help reduce carbon pollution.

Moreover, a recent analysis from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found more than 17,000 mine land sites across the US which, if they were to be redeveloped as clean energy projects, could add up to 89GW of generation capacity.

“Developing clean energy on mine lands is an opportunity for fossil fuel communities, which have powered our nation for a generation, to receive an economic boost and play a leadership role in our clean energy transition,” said Jennifer Granholm, the US Secretary of Energy.

The DOE expects to announce a funding opportunity to solicit projects proposals in 2023.

21 March 2024
4pm (GMT)
This special webinar will look at one of the most important changes impacting PV manufacturing today; how to establish and sustain new facilities around the world. For more than two decades, policy-makers have grappled with the challenges of nurturing domestic manufacturing sectors. Many countries have tried to create domestic sectors: Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, India, Europe and the U.S. But success stories have been rare. Mistakes seem to be repeated. And all the while, Chinese dominance of the industry has only increased. However, in the past 2-3 years, new drivers have emerged that suggest the dream of a global PV manufacturing ecosystem could be a reality. Join us as we shed light on this.
26 November 2024
Málaga, Spain
Understanding PV module supply to the European market in 2025. PV ModuleTech Europe 2024 is a two-day conference that tackles these challenges directly, with an agenda that addresses all aspects of module supplier selection; product availability, technology offerings, traceability of supply-chain, factory auditing, module testing and reliability, and company bankability.

Read Next

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
March 19, 2024
Texas, USA
Solar Media Events
March 26, 2024
Lisbon, Portugal
Solar Media Events
April 10, 2024
Dallas, Texas USA