Republic Services and renewable energy company Soltage sent word of a 13.5 MW project constructed on three former landfill sites, or brownfields, in Massachusetts. Based on preliminary estimates, this project is expected to produce enough electricity to power 1,900 local households. When complete, the project will be comprised of 41,000 solar panels that will provide electricity for Massachusetts municipalities.
Landfills can often provide opportunities to harness energy from yesterday’s waste and convert it into renewable energy for tomorrow’s power needs. This project in Massachusetts represent Republic’s commitment to the expanded application of solar energy technologies on former landfills, and complements existing solar energy projects in Texas, Georgia and Nevada.
“Solar is an excellent development opportunity for former landfills, providing additional revenue streams to the landowner, affordable power for the local communities and strong environmental benefits for the state,” said Jesse Grossman, CEO of Soltage. “Republic has shown their commitment to environmental leadership as well as their commitment to supporting the local community. By installing solar infrastructure on landfills, together we’re able to provide low-cost power for local Massachusetts communities and support the local economy.”
Mounting Challenges: Landfills, Brownfields, Water-Saturated Sites
Basalt Infrastructure Partners, an independent infrastructure investment firm, acted as the primary investor on the project. This is the first solar project between Republic and Soltage, and the first project completed as part of the Basalt-Soltage $140 million equity capital partnership to fund over 100 megawatts of commercial and industrial (C&I) and utility-scale pipeline of solar projects across the United States.
“We are pleased to work with Soltage and Republic in providing the capital to support the innovative siting, delivery and construction methods for solar projects that will provide many years of clean energy for Massachusetts,” said Rob Gregor, Managing Partner of Basalt Infrastructure Partners.
— Solar Builder magazine
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