C2 Energy completes Tennessee landfill solar project

New York-based C2 Energy Capital, a renewable energy developer and operator, has completed the installation of a solar project on a portion of land at a landfill in Somerville, Tennessee. C2 Energy provided financing and support services for the development and construction of the 2.7-megawatt solar power plant, the company says in a news release. 

The landfill is operational and leased from Fayette County, Tennessee. The solar panels were installed on a portion of the landfill that is inactive, according to the county.

"C2 Energy Capital stepped into a challenging solar project and enabled it to stay on schedule," remarks Fayette County Mayor Rhea Taylor. "Their experience and dedication to working through the complexities of the project were notable."

The solar project is part of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) RE-Powering America’s Land initiative, which encourages renewable energy development on current and former contaminated sites and landfills and identifies resources for communities, developers, industry and state and local governments in reusing sites for renewable energy development. Reusing former landfills for solar arrays offers many advantages, including leveraging existing infrastructure and open space, reducing land costs and tax incentives and gaining community support through land revitalization efforts, the EPA says.

"Ultimately, our community is proud to be a part of the RE-Powering America’s Land initiative with counties across the United Sites siting renewable energy projects on unproductive lands and deriving environmental and economic benefits for their communities,” says Robert Turner, administrator for Somerville.

The power generated from the system will be sold to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) under a 20-year power purchase agreement. The solar plant is projected to generate electricity to power more than 300 homes.

Candice Michalowicz, Co-founder and Managing Member of C2 Energy Capital, "Our team's effort and experience in completing this project turned previously unusable land to a clean, solar power system, a tax-paying property and created jobs. We are very proud to have participated in the effort."" data-reactid="15">"Solar facilities installed on landfills are some of the most difficult to construct," says Candice Michalowicz, co-founder and managing member of C2 Energy Capital. “Our team's effort and experience in completing this project turned previously unusable land to a clean, solar power system, a tax-paying property and created jobs. We are very proud to have participated in the effort."