In the spring of 1986, a major nuclear accident occurred at Chernobyl, Ukraine, then a part of the Soviet Union. The accident truly devastated a large amounts of land in northern Ukraine. The entire city of Pripyat was evacuated, making it one of the world’s most notorious ghost towns. In addition, dozens of villages in the area of the nuclear power plant were evacuated permanently as well. A large exclusion zone keeps people away from the area even today.
With that said, Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant was still producing energy for 14 years after the accident at Reactor 4. In the aftermath of the accident, it was determined that it was safer to allow the remaining fuel rods to burn out on their own as opposed to trying to remove them. The last reactor at Chernobyl shut down in 2000.
In accident at Chernobyl resulted in a reconsideration of nuclear energy not only in the Soviet Union, but around the world. This includes the United States.
Solar Chernobyl
Fast forward to 2018. In the early part of 2018, a solar farm that is the brainchild of Solar Chernobyl is expected to go online. Located directly next to the Chernobyl reactors, Solar Chernobyl is a one-megawatt installation. It features 3,800 photovoltaic panels. The solar farm will be capable of powering up to 2,000 homes.
This is only the beginning of the project. It is expected to double in size in the future.
Solar Energy in Ukraine
Ukraine still relies heavily on nuclear power, despite being the nation in which the largest nuclear accident of all time occurred. There are 12 active nuclear power plants in Ukraine. In the United States, a by far larger and more populous country, there are 61 operating commercial nuclear power plants.
Solar Chernobyl is not the first solar farm in Ukraine. This is the fourth such installation in the country.
The first two solar farms in Ukraine went online in 2011. They are Okhotnykovo and Perovo Solar Parks and are located in Crimea. These two farms generate 82 and 100 megawatts respectively.
The third solar farm in Ukraine went online in 2012, which generates 42 megawatts and is called Starokozache Solar Park. It is located in Odessa in southern Ukraine.
Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, which caused Ukraine to lose its two largers solar farms. At the same time, Russian natural gas supplies were cut off going into Ukraine. Thus, Solar Chernobyl, although a small operation, is another step towards energy independence for the nation.
Visiting Solar Chernobyl
Visiting Solar Chernobyl remains a challenge in this day and age, as a result of the accident at the nuclear power plant years ago. Visitors to the farm are provided gloves and masks immediately upon arrival.
If a visitor enters a reactor, more protective gear is required, These include cotton suits, gloves, slippers and masks. Later, in the Golden Corridor, a worker passes the group.
Financial Benefits of Solar Chernobyl
Not only is Solar Chernobyl generating electricity for use in Ukraine, the revenue from the operation is going to aid in paying for the complete decommission of the nuclear plant. There is a great deal involved in that process, including containing the nuclear waste associated with the plant and permanently encasing parts of the facility that were damaged years ago.
Chernobyl and Nuclear Power Generally
Nuclear energy has always been a controversial energy source. The debate over the use of nuclear power escalated after Chernobyl, and has not really dissipated since that time. In the end, those who opposed expanding the use of nuclear power in the United States gained traction in the years following the Chernobyl accident, and largely because of it.
In addition to opposition to expanding the use of nuclear energy in the United States, many of those who argued against expansion promoted using alternative energy resources like solar and wind power. Both of these alternative energy resources have seen a significant expansion in the years following Chernobyl.
Nuclear Versus Solar Energy in the United States
At the present time, about 20 percent of power generated in the United States comes from nuclear plants. About 1 1/2 percent is generated by solar. The reliance on solar power, although small by comparison to nuclear, is increasing at a relatively significant rate. On the other hand, 34 reactors (not plants) have been permanently shut down in the United States. A few new plants are in construction in the U.S.A. Ultimately, the projection is that solar will overtake nuclear as a major energy resource in the United States.
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Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Federal Steel Supply, Inc., a leading steel tubing suppliers of carbon, alloy and stainless steel pipe, tubes, fittings and flanges.
