In what seems to be an increasing trend, a new solar farm built on a landfill was dedicated yesterday.
The Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G)joined the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) and SunDurance Energy to dedicate the Kearny Landfill Solar Farm. It is the first New Jersey solar project on a state-owned landfill.
PSE&G owns and operates the solar farm and leases the land from the NJMC. The facility began operations in December 2011.
The projectt was funded in part by an $8.5 million New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act State Energy Program grant awarded to the NJMC. The installation of more than 12,500 solar panels on the closed landfill illustrates how clean energy projects can breathe new life into otherwise unusable sites, according to PSE&G's president, Ralph LaRossa.
"This project opens a new chapter in New Jersey lore," LaRossa said. "These landfills have sat dormant for years, and have been a familiar site to northern New Jersey residents for as long as I can remember. This project updates that story, showing how 21st century technology coupled with public-private partnerships can return even the most unusable space to a productive purpose."
