14 DAY TRIAL // In a world highly concerned about its ecological footprint, green solar-powered landfills seem like the next best thing. Eco-conscious companies are doing their best to revolutionize the role and functionality of the places where millions of tons of waste end up every year.
Their contribution will definitely change the way we feel about our current dirty open dumps, CleanTechies reports.
One keen green enterprise is a game-changer in this line of business, planning to use renewable energy to transform a common landfill from Conley, Georgia into a highly-efficient solar-powered facility.
This innovation is ready to be implemented, after decades in which experts tried to apply solar installations in landfills. Until now, they failed because as waste decomposed, its shape shifted and was believed it could affect solid structures.
This impediment is no longer an issue, since Spectro PowerCap from Carlisle Energy is the first kind of landfill aiming to combine the benefits of flexible geomembrane and solar photovoltaic (PV), relying on an eco-friendly technology that can provide solar power.
The 45-acre dump stays earth-friendly and clean, while exploiting the advantages offered by a geomembrane made of Thermoplastic PolyOlefin, an element similar to the materials used to design white roofs. Moreover, the landfill has 7,000 flexible 144-watt PV panels displaying a sustainable cover sheet that reminds us of Teflon.
“A lot of these landfills are built in urban settings, and they’re close to transmission lines. We think this type of system can be built across the country,” declared Tony Walker of landfill operator Republic Services.
All in all, the entire system is both green and energy-efficient, since is occupies almost 10 acres and can deliver enough energy for 224 average households.
The project provides more benefits. Apparently, ingenious entrepreneurs will take advantage of every single dollar landfills have to offer, selling the clean energy these facilities would offer.
The developers have already signed a contract with Georgia Power, meant to boost their profit margins while allowing consumers to experience the benefits of a new source of energy. A new project of this kind is also expected in Madison County, New York.