Low-Tower Concentrated Solar Power Systems for Abandoned Mine Pits

Abstract

Abstract. Abandoned mine pits represent both environmental liabilities and untapped renewable energy opportunities. With over 56,000 documented open-pit sites in the United States, these locations offer unique geometric advantages for concentrated solar power (CSP) deployment. This study demonstrates how natural pit topography can dramatically reduce CSP infrastructure costs while enabling mine site remediation. We developed an asymmetric CSP configuration that positions the receiver tower at the pit's southern edge with heliostats arranged along sloped pit walls. Using three-dimensional ray-tracing simulations and geometric optimization, we evaluated multiple designs, including traditional flat-field, symmetric pit, and optimized asymmetric configurations. The asymmetric design, achieved through the strategic relocation of the receiver tower and the removal of shading-prone heliostats, results in a 37% reduction in tower installation costs and a 27% decrease in thermal energy losses compared to conventional flat-terrain systems. Annual generation modeling demonstrates 451 GWh/year thermal energy production with a levelized cost of electricity of $0.129/kWh. These results establish abandoned mine pits as economically viable CSP sites, offering a dual-benefit approach to renewable energy development and environmental remediation.