Using an engineered turf cover to support PV solar systems on landfills

Abstract

Using landfills as solar sites saves natural lands from destruction. The large space of a closed landfill usually has limited redevelopment options due to restricted site access and long-term operation and maintenance requirements. A solar farm built on top of a closed landfill can generate additional revenue to offset post-closure maintenance costs and transform the otherwise undevelopable site into a renewal energy asset. A new solution has been developed in recent years to use an engineered turf cover to close a landfill, which serves as a foundation to support a low-profile photovoltaic (PV) solar power generation system. Case studies are presented to demonstrate field installation and performance of this new landfill closure and solar development solution.