Ameresco solar array turns California landfill into powerplant

Ameresco, an energy efficiency and renewable energy company, announced the completion of a 5.3-MW_dc ground-mount solar energy system at San Joaquin County’s Foothill Landfill during During San Joaquin County Board of Supervisor’s meeting Tuesday. This is Ameresco’s second renewable energy project with the county that will help reduce its utility costs through California’s Renewable Energy Self-Generation Bill Credit Transfer (RES-BCT) program.

Ameresco installed a 5.3-MW solar array on the Foothill Landfill in Linden, California. Ameresco

San Joaquin County partnered with Ameresco to develop, own and operate a ground-mount solar system at the Foothill Landfill in Linden, California. Funded by a power purchase agreement, Ameresco installed 13,770 solar modules rated at 385 W each, as well as 29 solar inverters rated at 125 kW_ac each. Under a separate agreement with San Joaquin County, Ameresco constructed a 4.3-MW landfill gas to energy plant at the same landfill in 2014.

“San Joaquin County, and its local communities, have long prioritized the development of renewable energy resources, both for reducing emissions and supplementing existing electricity generation,” said Kathy Miller, chair of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors. “In addition to its environmental impact, the solar energy system will provide further utility cost savings to our region, which will directly benefit residents and local governments’ ability to better serve its constituents.”

The solar energy system will generate approximately 10,473,000 kWh of electricity annually. In addition to the significant electrical savings, the County will also receive a $500,000 upfront lease payment for the use of the land, infusing revenue into the County from day one.

“As a leader in green energy, San Joaquin County is always looking for ways to provide an improved environment for our residents while at the same time providing cost savings to taxpayers,” said Chuck Winn, supervisor of San Joaquin County. “The county recognized that the Foothill Landfill site in Linden had a large amount of undeveloped land. Thanks to a previous project implemented at the site in partnership with Ameresco, we knew there was a similar opportunity to do something productive with the site. When Ameresco approached us about the potential use of the undeveloped land for solar arrays, it was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. This is a long-term partnership and the resulting project will provide a great benefit to the county and our residents.”

Construction of the San Joaquin County solar project was recently completed. Ameresco continues to work with multiple parties involved in its development, including Sage Energy Consulting, PG&E, the SJCOG, the Linden Fire Department, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the California State Water Resources Control Board, CEQA and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.

“Our continued work with San Joaquin County demonstrates that there are always additional ways to make a community more sustainable and energy-secure,” said Bob Georgeoff, VP of Ameresco. “We look forward to seeing this project deliver environmental benefits while also generating substantial financial savings for San Joaquin County.”

News item from Ameresco

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Original Source: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2020/11/ameresco-solar-array-turns-california-landfill-into-powerplant/