CS Energy, Luminace complete 2 landfill solar projects in New Jersey

Edison, New Jersey-based CS Energy and New York-based Luminace have completed two 5-megawatt landfill community solar projects in Berkeley, New Jersey.

According to CS Energy, these co-located projects are among the first to simultaneously close a landfill and build a solar system atop the landfill. Including these projects, CS Energy has now completed more than 230 megawatts of landfill solar projects in the United States. The company says these projects are expected to provide energy to 1,800 homes, more than half of which will be low-to-moderate income (LMI) households, saving participants an estimated $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,” New Jersey State Senator Carmen Amato says. “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. I would like to express my gratitude to the late Administrator John Camera for his instrumental role in making these projects possible.”

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“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,” Berkeley Township Mayor John Bacchione says. “I would like to thank New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities, Department of Environmental Protection and Pinelands Commission, as well as Eagles Solar I and II for the opportunity to move forward with these clean energy projects.”

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.

“Given CS Energy’s market-leading experience as a developer and EPC [engineering, procurement and construction] contractor on landfill solar projects, coupled with their community solar experience and significant footprint in the Northeast, we are proud to collaborate with CS Energy once again as they successfully develop these landmark projects,” Luminace CEO Brendon Quinlivan says. “CS Energy and Luminace have a longstanding relationship and strong execution track record over the last decade, and we are pleased to collaborate with CS Energy again to enable affordable clean energy to local residents as well as provide a long-term asset to the local community.”

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 goal of 100 percent clean electricity by 2035.

“We’re excited to be working alongside Luminace on another innovative and impactful project in New Jersey,” says John Ervin, vice president of development at CS Energy. “Our extensive experience in the region and on landfill solar projects… enabled our team to successfully lead the development, design and construction of this complex project while working closely with regulators and project stakeholders. 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.”