CEP Renewables and CS Energy started construction on the 10-MW BEMS community solar landfill project, located on the Big Hill Landfill in Southampton, New Jersey. Consisting of two co-located 5-MW solar systems that span two utility territories, this project will use the ballasted solar racking solution from Terrasmart.
Credit: CEP Renewables
Beyond converting previously unusable land to a clean energy-generating asset, the project will also serve low-to-moderate income (LMI) residents and will enable the township to recoup 40 years of back taxes and interest. Construction of this project is expected to be completed by May 2023.
“We are excited to be able to build upon the success of our redevelopment project in Mount Olive, New Jersey — the largest solar landfill project in North America, by utilizing a similar process with this project,” said Chris Ichter, executive VP at CEP Renewables.
The Big Hill landfill site in Southampton had been long abandoned by its former owner, resulting in the site accruing millions of dollars in tax liens. As part of the public-private partnership between CEP and Southampton, CEP acquired the tax liens from the township, paying back all past-due taxes in the process and foreclosed on the landfill property.
“We’re proud that CEP Renewables has selected us to provide our expertise for this impactful landfill solar project due to our proven ability to complete these challenging projects safely and cost-effectively,” said Michael Dillon, director of operations at CS Energy. “We look forward to working alongside CEP Renewables to convert a previously unusable site into a solar generating field that will provide substantial environmental and financial benefits to this local community.”
There are over 10,000 closed landfills in the United States, which could host more than 60 GW of solar capacity — enough to power 7.8 million homes or the state of South Carolina. This BEMS project represents one of 16 landfill or brownfield projects that CEP currently has under development.
CEP has more than 100 MW of solar projects in New Jersey, contributing to its ranking as the number one U.S. state for installed solar capacity per square mile, as well as for the most planned community solar capacity serving LMI households.
News item from CEP Renewables
