Many old landfill sites are going solar so we thought we would create a list of 10 recent examples of landfill sites going solar, which have in the News, over the past 6 months. They are being made into what we call “Solar Landfills”, and its great news for the environment because solar energy is renewable energy!
For landfill owners landfill solar power is a rapidly growing opportunity, to at least make some money to maintain those old closed landfill sites, and help them pay for disposing of their leachate production responsibly.
Until recently, once the vast majority of old landfill sites ceased producing enough landfill gas for it be economically viable to continue to generate power from it, there was practically no way to make money from these site, other than renting the land out for grazing rights. Now, there is going to be a race on for energy entrepreneurs willing to invest in solar panels to find suitable old closed landfills, and negotiate agreements with their owners to place solar arrays on top of these landfills.
There are plenty of old landfills out there to provide a massive investment opportunity. There are 1,300 Superfund sites across the United States, and Superfund sites represent only a fraction of the old landfills that exist. So, to provide evidence of this growing trend for solar landfill projects, included below are ten old landfill sites which are “going solar”, as an example of what can be done:
1. Arkwright Landfill, Spartanburg, South Carolina
Superfund Landfill Site Going Solar in South Carolina
A Vermont-based solar photovoltaic firm will build a new energy farm on a former South Carolina landfill and Superfund site.
The firm, groSolar, and its partners, Duke Energy and ReGenesis will deliver renewable energy to the residents of Spartanburg, S.C., from the former Arkwright Landfill site. The project is part of a Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action. via Superfund Landfill Site Going Solar in South Carolina
2. Ocean Avenue Landfill, Portland, Maine
Portland council opts to negotiate deal to build solar array at landfill
The Portland City Council voted … to build one of the state’s largest municipal solar power arrays on the Ocean Avenue landfill.
Moon said the solar array would generate enough renewable energy to power City Hall and Merrill Auditorium, and is expected to save the city more than $3.2 million in energy costs over its lifetime. via Portland council opts to negotiate deal to build solar array at landfill
3. Highland Avenue Landfill, Portland, Maine
South Portland moves ahead with solar proposal on former landfill
City officials are moving forward with a cost-saving plan to build a solar power array on the former municipal landfill off Highland Avenue.
Each facility would generate about 1.2 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. That’s nearly 12 percent of the 10.1 million kilowatt-hours used annually by South Portland’s municipal and school facilities, Rosenbach said. And it’s about 3.5 percent of the 35.6 million kilowatt-hours used by Portland’s municipal and school facilities – enough to power Portland City Hall and Merrill Auditorium for a year. via South Portland moves ahead with solar proposal on former landfill – The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram
4.Simonds Road Landfill, Williamstown, Massachusetts
Williams, Town Partner to Build Solar Array on Capped Landfill
Williamstown will use energy from the array to power all of its municipal buildings and the fire district building and streetlights, as well as facilities of the regional school district. The discounted clean power will provide both savings and price stability to the town’s energy budget by locking in a long-term price for electricity at less than half the price the town currently pays. The town will also receive no fewer than 20 years of structured property tax revenue from the landfill, a property that otherwise generates no tax revenue for the community.
via Williams, Town Partner to Build Solar Array on Capped Landfill
5. Hickory Ridge Landfill, Georgia
Hickory Ridge Landfill Solar Energy Cover
By using exposed geomembrane solar cap technology, the at-capacity 48-acre Hickory Ridge Landfill was transformed into the largest solar energy generating facility in Georgia. It is the world's largest solar energy cap and the first use of the technology as a fully permitted landfill final closure system.
The geomembrane-covered landfill sideslopes provide an ideal, clean and stable surface for thin-film photovoltaic solar panels to be directly adhered. The Hickory Ridge Landfill solar energy cover uses over 7,000 solar panels to convert sunlight into more than 1 megawatt of clean, renewable electricity for the owner, Republic Services, and the local community.
The Hickory Ridge Landfill closure represents a milestone in the solid waste industry because it replaces a traditional Subtitle D closure – which covers a geomembrane liner with layers of soil and grass – with an alternative cap system that provides many environmental and economical advantages. via Hickory Ridge Landfill Solar Energy Cover HDR, Inc.
6. South Burlington Landfill, Landfill Road, Vermont
South Burlington Plans Solar Array Atop Closed Landfill
South Burlington is planning to put a solar array on top of an old landfill to get renewable energy and financial savings out of a piece of land that can’t be used for much else…
The plan calls for the installation of solar panels on top of a three-foot soil “cap” on top of the landfill.
“There are additional challenges that sites like these pose in comparison with typical ‘green field’ solar applications,” he said. “Mainly because the remedy here to protect human health and the environment includes a soil cap – a 3-foot-thick soil cap – we cannot penetrate that cap. We cannot compromise the remedy that’s in place.”
That means developers had to figure out a way to keep the solar panels in place without burying a base in the ground.
“It's estimated that South Burlington taxpayers will save up to $5 million in municipal and school district electrical costs over the 25-year life of this project.” – Helen Riehle, South Burlington City Council chair. via South Burlington Plans Solar Array Atop Closed Landfill
7. Brattleboro Landfill, Old Ferry Road, Vermont
New owner breathes life into Brattleboro landfill solar project
The headquarters of the Windham Solid Waste Management District off Old Ferry Road in Brattleboro, where officials are pursuing development of a 5-megawatt solar array on a closed landfill.
“In addition to generating over 5 megawatts of renewable energy on an otherwise undevelopable tract of land, the project will result in significant economic activity in the Brattleboro area and provide long-term financial value for the district and its member communities,” Farrell said. via New owner breathes life into Brattleboro landfill solar project | VTDigger
8. Kinsley Landfill, New Jersey
PSE&G plans 100MW solar on landfill sites in New Jersey
The utility has applied to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to develop the PV plants on around 10 landfills and brownfield sites over four years.
The utility has applied to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to develop the PV plants on around 10 landfill and brownfield sites over four years.
In 2014, PSE&G began construction of an 11.18MW solar plant, atop the Kinsley Landfill in New Jersey, which has been closed since 1987.
via PSE&G plans 100MW solar on landfill sites in New Jersey
9. South Brunswick Landfill, New Jersey
Solar Field Proposed for South Brunswick Landfill Site
As part of the project, the developer, Robert Stanton, is also proposing to work with the owner of the landfill site next door, Republic Services. One plan is to build a solar field on the former landfill site, with the idea that electricity generated by the solar field would be used to power the proposed 120 units.
“No final decisions have been made as to this or any other properties proposed for development,” Schmalz said.
A recent ruling by the NJ Superior Court forces South Brunswick to convert various sites throughout the Township into affordable housing. The court is expected to make some decisions on individual properties sometime this fall, Schmalz said. And any proposed redevelopment plans would have to be approved by the South Brunswick Planning Board.
via Solar Field Proposed for South Brunswick Landfill Site
10. Hernwood Landfill, Baltimore County, Maryland
Baltimore County is installing solar panels in parks and landfills
The panels, which SolarCity will own, are slated to be installed at the following locations:
- The former Hernwood landfill
- The former Parkton landfill
- Mount Vista Park in Kingsville
- Southwest Area Regional Park in Landsdowne
Three of the four projects will be completed in 2017. In all, the panels will produce 21 megawatts. Officials expect the panels to account for more than 20 percent of the county government’s electricity. The county also set a goal of reducing overall electricity use in government buildings by 15 percent over the next five years. via Baltimore County is installing solar panels in parks and landfills – Technical.ly Baltimore
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