America's thousands of closed landfills represent a massive untapped opportunity to generate clean solar power. These unused brownfield sites, which are often seen as burdens on their local communities, have the potential to be transformed into renewable energy assets that provide a range of benefits. In this episode, Tim Montague explores the possibilities and challenges of developing solar farms on retired landfills with guest Annika Colston, founder and president of AC Power.
Annika explains that there are over 10,000 closed landfills in the US that could generate up to an estimated 63 GW of solar power if converted to solar farms. However, building solar on landfills involves additional costs and complexities compared to traditional ground-mounted or rooftop installations. Challenges include engineering the solar array around the landfill cap, extensive permitting requirements, and potential issues with site access and land title.
Despite the obstacles, a growing number of states like New York, New Jersey, and Illinois have recognized the opportunity and enacted policies and incentives to spur solar development on landfills. These programs help offset the extra costs associated with landfill solar projects.
When executed successfully, landfill solar can yield a range of win-wins. The projects generate clean renewable energy, provide a new revenue stream for the landfill owner, reduce ongoing vegetation management costs, and improve underutilized sites that may have been seen as community eyesores. Annika emphasizes that these projects also present an opportunity to deliver tangible benefits to nearby neighborhoods, especially those that have historically faced disproportionate environmental burdens.
The episode concludes with a call to action for local leaders and community members to identify and advocate for solar development on idle landfill sites in their own backyards. As Annika puts it: "We should be telling our communities to go out there and develop them."
Key Points:
1. There are over 10,000 closed US landfills that could be converted to generate 63 GW of solar
2. Landfill solar involves extra costs and complexity but also major opportunities
3. Some states have policies/incentives to spur landfill solar development (NY, NJ, IL, PA, VA)
4. Benefits include clean energy, revenues, lower maintenance costs, and community improvements
5. Local leaders are urged to pursue solar development on their communities' landfills
Social Media Handles
https://www.linkedin.com/in/annika-colston-9681624/
http://www.acpowerllc.com/
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00:00 Introduction
01:44 How Annika Got Into Landfill Solar Development
07:30 The Opportunity & Potential for Landfill Solar in the US
12:06 The Process of Developing Landfill Solar
18:29 Overcoming Landfill Site Challenges
25:42 Costs & Economics of Landfill Solar vs Traditional Solar
29:03 Owner Benefits of Leasing Landfills
30:01 What does the Land Lease Rates Look Like
32:57 Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on Landfill Solar
34:36 Landfill Solar Incentive Programs by State
36:16 Community Benefits of Landfill Solar Beyond Energy
38:17 Call to Action for Communities to Develop Landfill Solar
41:20 Outro
