Transforming Landfills into Solar Farms

Four sites are generating a total of 14.5 megawatts of renewable solar energy.

In partnership with two project developers, Waste Management recently completed the installation of four solar farms on closed landfill sites in the state of Massachusetts. In total, the sites are now generating 14.5 megawatts (MW) of energy, enough to power 3,000 homes.

Waste Management partnered with Citizens Energy Corporation to develop the first of four projects at the former Hunt Road landfill located in Amesbury, MA. Closed since 1994, the landfill now contains 17,647 solar panels on over 25 acres of land. The 4.5-megawatt (MW) array generates enough energy to power 900 homes in the region.

The three additional projects were all developed with Captona Partners. Those projects include:

Hudson/Stow Landfill in Hudson, MA – 5 MW. Closed since 1997, the landfill now contains 18,216 solar panels on over 28 acres of land. The 5-megawatt (MW) capacity generates enough energy to power 1,000 homes in the region.

Berkley Landfill in Berkley, MA – 3.6 MW. Closed since 1994, the landfill now contains 11,286 solar panels on over 18 acres of land. The 3.6-megawatt (MW DC) capacity generates enough energy to power nearly 700 homes in the region.

MT Sullivan Landfill in Chicopee, MA – Closed since 1998, the landfill now contains 7,938 solar panels on over 6 acres of land. The 2.5-megawatt (MW DC) capacity generates enough energy to power 400 homes in the region.

“Solar farms require a lot of area, and closed landfills make excellent sites for them,” said Chris DeSantis, Area Vice President, Waste Management. “Waste Management has developed similar projects at other closed facilities across the country and we are pleased to add these four Massachusetts sites to our growing list.”