Solar panels unveiled at Chernobyl nuclear power sitePublished6 October 2018Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ReutersImage caption, A new solar power plant has been built at the site of the former Chernobyl nuclear power stationImage source, ReutersImage caption, The Chernobyl plant was the site of a catastrophic nuclear disaster in 1986Image caption, Radioactive material was released into the atmosphere across parts of Europe, leading to a rise in cases of thyroid cancerImage caption, The area around the plant is now part of an exclusion zone spanning 1,000 square miles (2,600 sq km)Image source, AFPImage caption, The Chernobyl plant was decommissioned and forced to close in 2000Image source, ReutersImage caption, Ukraine has now launched its first solar plant in the abandoned area around the former power stationImage source, ReutersImage caption, The country's government wants renewable energy companies to develop the abandoned landImage source, EPAImage caption, The site will create enough energy to power around 2,000 householdsImage source, ReutersImage caption, However people will not be able to return to live in the evacuated zone for another 24,000 years, Ukrainian authorities sayMore on this storyChernobyl nuclear disaster site goes solar. Video, 00:02:52Chernobyl nuclear disaster site goes solarPublished29 April 20182:52Bringing solar power to the Himalayas. Video, 00:04:00Bringing solar power to the HimalayasPublished20 February 20184:00Ukraine marks 30 years since ChernobylPublished26 April 2016Exploring Chernobyl in virtual reality. Video, 00:01:47Exploring Chernobyl in virtual realityPublished25 April 20161:47In pictures: Chernobyl's eerie exclusion zone 30 years onPublished23 April 2016Wild mammals 'return to Chernobyl'Published5 October 2015Chernobyl: Containing the world's worst nuclear accidentPublished18 March 2015