Landfills Generate Electricity from Solar Power

The United States has approximately 100,000 closed landfills that could potentially be representing vast acres of property which could be used towards solar energy development, as per the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).

Landfill operators are making use of the closed sections or the closed facilities of working landfills for capturing solar energy towards powering their operations, entire towns or nearby neighborhoods. Four areas currently undertaking this process are Haywood County, North Carolina; Fort Carson, Colorado; Atlanta, Georgia; and San Antonio, Texas.

A classical example is the Tessman Road landfill of Republic Services in San Antonio that goes on to produce approximately 185,000 kWh of electrical energy annually. This engineered cover system that is utilized by Republic Services features solar-power collection strips, which adhere to a geomembrane cover. As closed landfills do not suit any other usage, they go on to represent a sustainable approach towards addressing energy challenges.