Edison-based CS Energy and California-based Luminace on Tuesday said they completed two 5-megawatt landfill community solar projects located in Berkeley Township. These colocated projects are among the first-ever projects to simultaneously close a landfill and build a solar system atop the landfill.
Including these projects, CS Energy has now completed over 230 MW of landfill solar projects in the U.S. These projects are expected to provide more affordable clean energy to 1,800 homes, over half of which will be low-to-moderate income households. In total, this landfill community solar project is expected to save participants around $6.4 million over the life of the project.
“We are thrilled to have joined forces with CS Energy and Luminace to close this landfill at no cost to our taxpayers and residents, while also offering more affordable and cleaner sources of energy to our community,” New Jersey Sen. Carmen Amato (R-Forked River), a former Berkeley Township mayor who spearheaded this project, said. “My administration and the council have set robust goals for resiliency and green initiatives and are pleased to have this outside-the-box, strategic method for generating revenue for the township on township-owned land. I would like to express my gratitude to the late Administrator John Camera for his instrumental role in making these projects possible.”
“These projects achieve many goals in Berkeley Township, which include the final capping of our long-closed landfill, providing green energy to our residents at a discounted rate and improving the environment by reducing our carbon footprint,” Berkeley Township Mayor John Bacchione said. “I would like to thank New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities, Department of Environmental Protection and Pinelands Commission, as well as Eagles Solar I and II, for the opportunity to move forward with these clean energy projects.”
After landfill operations ceased in the early 1980s, the Berkeley Township Landfill remained uncapped due to a lack of funds available to close it. In 2020, CS Energy and Berkeley Township entered a public-private partnership to close the landfill. CS Energy spent nearly two years completing all relevant studies and permitting work required to both close the landfill and build a community solar system atop it.
“Given CS Energy’s market-leading experience as a developer and EPC contractor on landfill solar projects, coupled with their community solar experience and significant footprint in the Northeast, we are proud to collaborate with CS Energy once again as they successfully develop these landmark projects,” Brendon Quinlivan, CEO of Luminace, said. “CS Energy and Luminace have a longstanding relationship and strong execution track record over the last decade, and we are pleased to collaborate with CS Energy again to enable affordable clean energy to local residents as well as provide a long-term asset to the local community.”
Part of New Jersey’s Community Solar Energy Pilot Program, which is now established as a permanent program, these projects contribute to the state’s ambitious goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035. Including these projects, CS Energy has now completed 310 MW of solar projects in the state.
“We’re excited to be working alongside Luminace on another innovative and impactful project in New Jersey,” John Ervin, vice president of development at CS Energy, said. “Our extensive experience in the region, and on landfill solar projects in particular, enabled our team to successfully lead the development, design and construction of this complex project while working closely with regulators and project stakeholders. In addition to closing this landfill and providing additional revenue for the city, these projects also provide a high-quality solar power plant, cleaner air and significant energy savings to local residents long-term.”
