Solar landfill

The 50 MW solar array was installed on a 240-acre site that was previously an incinerator and landfill decommissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1974.

[7][8] In order to be approved to site a solar project on a brownfield, most states require a measure of rehabilitation to be conducted on the land, including the disposal of on-site hazardous materials[9] as well as ecological restoration such as the introduction of native species, improving the resiliency of the land and ensuring that a stable ecosystem is maintained.

Prior to development, landfills may require extensive site preparation, including capping, grading, and soil remediation, to ensure the stability and suitability of the land for solar installation.

[13] A potential route to combat biodiversity loss is to utilize the mitigation hierarchy to ensure that proper measures are taken to offset any impacts caused by development.

Regulatory Compliance: Solar development on landfills must adhere to stringent environmental regulations and permitting requirements to address concerns related to soil contamination, habitat disruption, and public health.

Solar arrays on a full landfill in Rehoboth, MA
Growth in solar installations on landfills [ 4 ]
Completed Brownfield renewable projects by State as of November 2023
States with financial incentives
States with streamlined permitting policies
States with financial incentives and streamlined permitting policies
States with no incentives
5 Number of brownfield completed projects in each State