The 25.6 megawatts (MW) Mount Olive solar project is now fully completed and online, as reported by Electrek. It is reported to be the largest landfill solar project in North America, located in New Jersey.
“We’re pleased to have been able to work closely with our reliable, long-time partners to convert yet another, previously unusable, landfill site into a renewable energy generating power plant.”
Executive Vice President at CEP Renewables Chris Ichter
About the Project
Where was the project built?
The solar farm project is built on the former Combe Landfill North Superfund site in Mount Olive. It originally held chemical waste, sewage, sludge, and industrial waste. From 1966 through 1981, the 102-acre property served as a landfill.
More than 56,000 solar panels have been installed there, with the capacity to supply over 4,000 houses with renewable energy.
Companies involved in the project
On Wednesday, NJR Clean Energy Resources held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the solar project.
Notably, the project development was carried out by CS Energy and CEP Renewables.
“We’re proud to have been selected by CEP Renewables to provide our expertise for this impactful landfill solar project due to our track record of completing these challenging projects safely, on time and on budget.”
Director of Operations at CS Energy Mike Dillon
On the other hand, Lindsay Precast provided steel skids, while Terrasmart offered its rack systems.
The solar farm will be owned and run by NJR Clean Energy Ventures per a long-term contract. For those unaware, NJR Clean Energy Ventures is a business unit of New Jersey Resources.
It is also worth noting that CEP Renewables own the site for this project, and the business is leasing it to NJR Clean Energy Ventures.
Benefits from the project
More than 4,000 homes are projected to receive clean energy from the Mount Olive solar project. Furthermore, the township recovered around $2.3 million in back taxes from the defunct landfill.
“There are over 10,000 closed landfills in the United States, yet only a small fraction of these parcels have been redeveloped. Transitioning more of these landfill sites into solar projects will create more local tax revenue, jobs, cleaner air, and affordable energy for residents throughout the country.”
Executive Vice President at CEP Renewables Chris Ichter
The EPA reports that during the past five years, landfill solar projects have increased by 80% in the United States. Currently, the Mount Olive project acts as a model for the many other abandoned landfills in the US.
