Landfill Could Add Solar Power Plant

A landfill in Barstow, California could add a solar power plant generating between 10 and 20 megawatts of electricity. It was reported that if it does produce that much power, it would be enough for 10,000 to 20,000 homes. A figure commonly used for solar power plants is one megawatt for powering 1,000 homes. However, in real-world conditions, a megawatt might power less than that, down to 460 or so. One factor reducing the number of households that can be powered by a single megawatt is simply the consistent use of air conditioning. For example, one article states homes in the US Northeast region consume half of the electricity used by homes in the South.

In Barstow, summer temperatures over 100F are common. In a whole year there are about 130 days with highs over 90F. The expected high for June 23, 2011 is 104F. The highest recorded temperature was over 110F. Air conditioning is commonly used in such heat, and therefore there is good reason to believe if the solar plant is built the one megawatt per 1,000 households will not apply, and it will be more towards 460 per megawatt during the many hot days.

The population of Barstow is about 22,000, so if they can construct a 20 megawatt solar plant, they might power about 10,000 homes, or 5,000 if it is 10 megawatts. At any rate, such a plant would still provide renewable power to a very large number of people and make good use of about 40 to 80 acres within the landfill’s current space. The project cost has been estimated at 35 to 70 million, and there might be a thirty percent reduction due an investment tax credit. Eighteen months is a potential start date for construction, with as many as 150 new jobs for the building phase.

The county of San Bernardino could have a solar power potential of nearly four million megawatts, so a plant making 10 to 20 isn’t much compared with the potential, but renewable energy is often spoken of in potential terms, without nearly as much actually realized. Such a plant in Barstow could be an excellent example for other cities in the area to take advantage of the abundant sunlight and open space.

Image Credit: Bobak Ha’Eri

Read more: Community, Conservation, Environment, Life, solar-power

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Danuta W.

12:58AM PST on Feb 11, 2012

Thanks for the article.

send a green star

Rosie L.

12:04PM PST on Feb 10, 2012

great idea!

Joan M.

2:37PM PST on Feb 9, 2012

All these good stories about towns adopting solar power, finally it is catching on.

Akin A.

5:32AM PDT on Jul 18, 2011

Thanks for sharing.

Ann F.

8:28AM PDT on Jun 30, 2011

I agree with Grace

Grace A.

1:25PM PDT on Jun 28, 2011

Lets have both methane power to make good use of the methane generated by the landfill AND solar power up on stilts over the landfill. Make good use of all the areas resources.

Brenda T.

11:11AM PDT on Jun 28, 2011

A very good idea.

Abbe A.

9:03AM PDT on Jun 28, 2011

nice!

Lisa B.

7:32AM PDT on Jun 28, 2011

good idea

John D.

3:31AM PDT on Jun 28, 2011

renewable power? Do not Solar cells need replacement? Is not a solar cell incredibly energy intensive to make? At the present time is not the energy used to make solar cells 1/2 COAL?
Is not geothermal 165 the economically viable breakthrough we have been waiting for?
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