Solar Panels Installed on New York City Landfills

Solar panels on landfills (image from NYDailynews)

We have recently blogged about the potential of using so-called brownfields for renewable energy development. In Manhattan, solar panels have been installed on New York City landfills to utilize open space and generate clean electricity. In fact, developers are vying for a chance to install solar panels on landfills pursuant to the PlaNYC environmental initiative.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg set forth the first 4-year update to PlaNYC this week, in which he discussed continued efforts to switch from fossil fuels to solar energy. With solar panels installed on landfills, significant amounts of power can be generated from otherwise fallow sites.

According to Reuters:

“Installing solar power at these sites could significantly improve local air quality by reducing generation at the city’s dirtiest plants during periods of peak summer demand.”

Over time, the plan is to install solar panels over more than 3,000 acres of landfill property. This would generate the power required for more than 50,000 homes.

Solar Panels on Landfills

Why use landfills for the property on which to install solar panels? The biggest reason is probably because the real estate is cheap and is not worth much otherwise.

NYC is just one of many municipalities that have – or are considering – solar panels installed on its landfills.

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