Landfill to Become Solar Power Plant

In Georgia, the Hickory Ridge landfill is going to be converted into one of the largest solar power plants in the state. The landfill will be covered with an unusually tough liner, and solar panels will be added on top of that. The panels are less than a quarter of an inch thick and flexible. The reason the panels need to be flexible is that the landfill underneath them will most likely move slightly as it settles. The liner and panels will be sort of a cap on the landfill. The solar system will generate enough electricity to power about 400 homes.

“It’s a landfill closure system that maintains the gas inside, keeps the water out and produces renewable energy. And it’s very economical for us,” said the landfill’s engineering manager Tony Walker. (Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Carlisle Energy Services in Pennsylvania designed the system. They specialize in single-ply membrane roofing systems. “These membranes have proven their performance, durability and longevity and are ideal for use in capping landfills. By combining Carlisle’s superior membrane products with flexible solar laminates, the SpectroPowerCap product is a cost-effective way to deploy renewable energy and cap a landfill with a single product,” said Geoff Slevin of Carlisle Energy Services. (Source: Republic Services)

The solar panel cap on the landfill will use dark panels so they don’t reflect light back at pilots who are using the nearby airport. Walter Brown, chairman of the Georgia Solar Energy Association said, “This enormous solar project will be visible from the air to passengers arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and will become well known to Georgians looking for clean energy solutions for our future prosperity.” (Source: Southern Political Report)

Image Credit: Georgia Solar Energy Association

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jessica r.

10:45AM PST on Jan 18, 2012

What a great idea....it's not land that is environmentally sensitive or that can readily be used for any other purposes. Very creative. And, when you think of the number of landfills there are out there, it has great potential.

send a green star

Mary L.

3:01PM PST on Jan 14, 2012

I keep wondering why the gas is left to dissipate instead of being harvested. I keep wondering why gas is wasted and burned at refineries, and it smells like skunks from the sulfur.

It's energy, why not use it instead of wasting it?

Lynn C.

8:13PM PST on Jan 13, 2012

Hurrah!

Frances D.

9:22AM PST on Jan 12, 2012

Excellent idea.I wonder about the cost and would it be economically attractive for others to follow.

Nina A.

7:45AM PDT on Jun 29, 2011

excellent idea. thanks.

Pearl L.

12:57PM PDT on Apr 17, 2011

Something big is finally happening! I'm so happy :')

Ecd F.

5:24PM PST on Mar 8, 2011

Those industry-leading light-weight thin-film solar laminate panels used in both the Tessman Road landfill project in San Antonio as well as here in the Hickory Ridge project in Atlanta are made by Uni-Solar Ovonics, a subsidiary of the Michigan company Energy Conversion Devices [ticker symbol ENER].

The E.P.A estimates there are approximately 100,000 closed landfills {ideally suited for similar solar laminate panel projects}.

This capping system eliminates weekly/monthly ground maintenance costs such as mowing...

Heavy class solar panels can not be ground-mounted without costly ballasts to prevent instability on settling ground. That's why Uni-solar's thin-film solar laminate panels are ideal.

FYI, Tessman landfill in San Antonio is exceeding recent 6 month output compared to same period last year. Why else would Republi do this Atlanta project, 7 times the size of San Antonio.

Republic's Project Manager, "More landfill solar projects to some."

The story as aired on FoxNews… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXkTLKhGLY0