CS energy And Luminance have completed two 5 MW landfill solar projects in Berkeley, New Jersey. These co-located projects are among the first ever to simultaneously close a landfill and build a solar system on top of the landfill.
Including these projects, CS Energy has now completed more than 230 MW of landfill solar projects in the United States. These projects are expected to deliver more affordable clean energy to 1,800 homes, more than half of which will be low-to-moderate income (LMI) households. In total, these community landfill solar projects are expected to save participants approximately $6.4 million over the life of the projects.
“We are thrilled to have joined forces with CS Energy and Luminace to close this landfill at no cost to our taxpayers and residents, while also providing our community with more affordable and cleaner energy sources,” said State Senator Carmen Amato New Jersey and former Mayor of Berkeley Township, who led this project. “My board and the council have set robust targets for resilience and green initiatives and welcome this ‘outside the box’, strategic method of generating income for the council on council-owned land. I would like to express my gratitude to the late Administrator John Camera for his important role in making these projects possible.”
After landfill operations ceased in the early 1980s, the Berkeley Township landfill remained open due to a lack of available funds to close it. In 2020, CS Energy and Berkeley Township entered into a public-private partnership to close the landfill. CS Energy has spent almost two years completing all relevant studies and authorizing works necessary to close the landfill and build a community solar system on top of it.
“Given CS Energy’s leading experience as a developer and EPC contractor in landfill solar projects, combined with their experience in community solar and their significant footprint in the Northeast, we are proud to once again work with CS Energy in the successful development of these groundbreaking projects. says Brendon Quinlivan, CEO of Luminace. “CS Energy and Luminace have a long-standing relationship and a strong track record of execution over the past decade, and we are pleased to once again partner with CS Energy to enable affordable clean energy for local residents and to to be an asset to the local community in the long term. .”
These projects are part of New Jersey’s Community Solar Energy Pilot Program, now established as a permanent program, and contribute to the state’s ambitious goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035. Including these projects, CS Energy now 310 MW of solar projects completed by 2035. the state.
“We are excited to work with Luminace on another innovative and impactful project in New Jersey,” said John Ervin, VP of Development at CS Energy. “Our extensive experience in the region, and particularly in landfill solar projects, has enabled our team to successfully lead the development, design and construction of this complex project, while working closely collaborated with regulators and project stakeholders. In addition to closing this landfill and generating additional revenue for the city, these projects will also provide a high-quality solar power plant, cleaner air and significant energy savings for local residents in the long term.”
News item from CS Energy
Credit: CS Energy