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Solar Panels Make Landfills Come to Light

All over the world space constraints are encouraging people to become innovative thinkers when it comes to repurposing areas. The U.S., the UK and Japan are all making plans to convert used and filled landfills into expansive solar panel farms. By collaborating and making deals with strong solar companies the areas are likely to save money and space and reduce their carbon footprint at the same time!

Two towns in Connecticut, Ansonia and Derby, are looking to save a little money and space by installing solar panels over landfills. According to New Haven Register this project is “projected to save more than $1 million in electricity costs over the next 15-20 years.” Besides the reduction in carbon footprint another plus is that both systems are being funded by outside sources. A 2012 state program for zero-emissions or low emissions allow bidders to “receive 15-year contracts for the payment of a set price per megawatt hour (MWh) of output in the form of renewable energy credits (RECs)” which will “maximize the amount of in-state economic activity generated by the program and procure the lowest priced renewable electricity possible.” Derby is looking to install 3,870 solar panels over a 6.5 acre closed landfill and Ansonia is looking to install 1,836 solar panels. So with no direct cost to the cities this seems to be a win-win situation.

Across the pond in the UK, ClickGreen reports that a recycling and waste management firm (SITA UK) and solar renewables company have teamed up to extract benefits from sealed landfill sites. SITA UK already extracts methane gas to make sustainable energy, but was looking for alternative sustainable practices. The solar company, British Solar Renewables was chosen for its “expertise in building upon landfill sites, alongside its integrated in-house capabilities to manage development, construction, independent connection and operational services.” The company will begin by conducting site selection and then construction for maximizing renewable energy benefits.

The Asahi Shimbun reports that the Environment Ministry is also hoping to install solar panels over full landfill sites in Japan. The area being looked at includes about 3,600 landfills, “their total land area combined is 109 square kilometers.” Over the next three years, “the Environment Ministry will provide subsidies to local governments and private companies that have installation plans.” Studies are being conducted to determine feasibility and how leaching water and gases from the landfill will affect the solar panels, but there is a potential for total power generation capacity to “be about 7.4 gigawatts” helping to reach “the government’s goal for solar power in 2020 of 12.01 gigawatts.” This innovative project idea needs to be implemented in other areas as the global population and energy demands continue to grow.

Sep 15th 2014

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