Analysis of photovoltaic potential at abandoned mine promotion districts in Korea

The present study analyzed the photovoltaic (PV) potentials at seven abandoned mine promotion districts in Korea: Taebaek, Samcheok, Jeongseon, Yeongwol, Mungyeong, Hwasun, and Boryeong. A PV system with a capacity of 99 kW was considered at each abandoned mine promotion district. The estimated electric power productions and economic effects of PV systems were analyzed using RETScreen software developed by Natural Resources Canada (NRC). The results showed that the Boryeong district has the highest PV potential, with estimated electric power production of about 83.43 MWh/year, which means a present net value of 69.2 million KRW and a payback period of about 13 years.