The Amazing EGSC (Exposed Geomembrane Solar Cover) Technology of Solar Landfills
Dear Friends, Visitors/Viewers/Readers, (Please click on red links below),
Recall our yesterday’s post on “Hurray For Solar Landfills“. It led me to discover an even more exciting video that I’d like to share with you, below.
In the video above you’re seeing a Conley(near Atlanta), Georgia (of USA) based landfill site being transformed from an operating landfill that has reached capacity into a commercial scale, solar energy generating facility. The amazing part is the technology of EGSC (Exposed Geomembrane Solar Cover) system that combines an enhanced final cover anchoring system and thin film photovoltaic solar panel attached to a geomembrane, resulting in an integrated final landfill cover system that allows a landfill owner to close a landfill while generating renewable electrical power.
The lack of topsoil or vegetative support above the geomembrane of a solar energy cover is actually a design strength over the traditional closure. The exposed geomembrane anchors directly into the landfill whereas a traditional Subtitle D closure drapes the geomembrane atop the landfill, holding it in place with soil layers that shift and erode over time. This fantastically flexible technology serves dual purpose of protecting the environment while generating solar power.
The 35-acre closure at Hickory Ridge Landfill Solar Energy Cover uses about 7000 solar panels to generate more than 1 MW of solar electricity, converting a landfill into solar park, transforming a liability into a revenue stream. The solar panel area of the closure is approximately 10 acres. The same EGSC technology is also used to perform partial closure at the Tessman Road Landfill in San Antonio, TX. Let’s hope that the potential benefits of this technology (EGSC) will also be realized elsewhere, in time:
- Decreased landfill post-closure care cost
- Rebates and solar incentives for project construction
- Solar renewable energy credits
- Sale of solar energy
- Carbon cap and trade credits
- Positive image of sustainability and energy independence
Apparently, the first design and installation of a solar landfill capping system (integrating an exposed geomembrane cap design and modern photovoltaic technology with a landfill closure) was first realized by HDR Engineering Inc.’s (HDR) in 2009, design of Republic Services at Tessman Road Landfill Solar Energy Cover in San Antonio, TX.
There’s much work waiting to be done. We have more than the surface area of all the rooftops, we also have all the closed/sealed landfills that may be used to generate solar energy/power. Combining our posts at April 30, 2014 and May 1, 2014, much work, opportunities, and rewards are awaiting for those who would take the initiative!
~have a bright and sunny day~
Gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any of your comments/suggestions/questions will be welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Please also get into the habit of checking at these sites below for more on solar energy topics:
www.instagram.com/sunisthefuture
www.pinterest.com/sunisthefuture
www.facebook.com/sunisthefuture
www.youtube.com/user/sunisthefuture
www.kiva.org/team/sunisthefuture
Homepage: http://www.sunisthefuture.net 
Google+
Tags: EGSC, Exposed Geomembrane Solar Cover, GA, geomembrane, Hickory Ridge Landfill, landfill, solar, solar landfill, Sun Is The Future, sunisthefuture, sunisthefuture.net, susan sun nunamaker, Tessman Road Landfill