CS Energy, Luminace complete two 5 MW landfill community solar projects in New Jersey
CS Energy and Luminace completed two 5 MW landfill community solar projects in Berkeley, New Jersey. The co-located projects are among the first ever projects to simultaneously close a landfill and build a solar system atop it.
Including these projects, CS Energy has now completed over 230 MW of landfill solar projects in the United States. These projects are expected to provide more affordable renewable energy to 1,800 homes, over half of which will be low-to-moderate income (LMI) households. In total, these landfill community solar projects are expected to save participants around $6.4 million over the life of the projects.
“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,” said New Jersey State Senator and former Berkeley Township Mayor Carmen Amato, who spearheaded this project. “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.”
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. CS Energy and Luminace broke ground on the project in May 2023.
“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,” said Berkeley Township Mayor John Bacchione.
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% renewable electricity by 2035. Including these projects, CS Energy has now completed 310 MW of solar projects in the state.
“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,” said John Ervin, VP of Development at CS Energy. “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.”
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