From Rocks to Renewables: How Minerals Make Clean Energy Possible
When people think about renewable energy, they often picture sunshine, wind, and water, not mines. But the truth is, building a clean energy future depends on minerals dug from the ground.
From solar panels to wind turbines to battery storage, the transition to net zero can’t happen without the right raw materials.
Minerals Powering Solar Panels
Solar panels are made mainly from silicon, which comes from quartz (a mineral found in abundance in Australia).
Quartz → Silicon: The quartz is refined into pure silicon, which is then used to make solar cells.
Other minerals in solar panels: Aluminium (for the frame), silver (for electrical connections), and copper (for wiring).
Without these minerals, solar panels simply wouldn’t exist.
Wind Turbines and Rare Earths
Wind turbines might look like they’re just made of steel, but their high-efficiency magnets often contain rare earth elements like neodymium and dysprosium.
These rare earths help generate electricity efficiently from wind power.
The towers themselves require large amounts of steel (from iron ore) and concrete.
Batteries for Energy Storage
To use renewable energy when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing, we need battery storage, and that means more minerals:
Lithium: Stores and releases energy.
Cobalt & Nickel: Improve battery life and capacity.
Graphite: Used in the battery’s anode.
The Supply Chain Challenge
One of the biggest challenges in scaling up renewables is ensuring there’s enough supply of these minerals. New mines, better recycling, and improved processing technology all play a role in meeting demand without causing environmental harm.
Why This Matters for Net Zero
Every new solar farm, wind project, or EV battery is a step towards reducing carbon emissions. But each one is also a reminder that even in a clean energy future, mining remains essential, the key is doing it sustainably.
Classroom Connections
This topic links directly to:
Science: Properties and uses of materials.
Geography: How resources are sourced and traded.
Sustainability: Balancing environmental impact with renewable energy goals.
Want your students to see these minerals up close?
In Mine to Mind sessions, students can handle quartz for solar panels, lithium ore for batteries, and rare earth mineral samples, learning how each plays a part in building a renewable energy future.
