South Burlington Landfill Solar
The South Burlington Energy Committee worked with the City of South Burlington to install a solar array on a closed and capped landfill. The array covers eight acres and is well-sited close to industrial uses such as the wastewater treatment plant and the airport. Landfills are also a preferred site under Act 174 (Energy Planning), which encourages renewable energy generation on already disturbed sites. The project represents a likely savings of $5 million over the 25-year life of the project for the city and the school district due to the favorable – and predictable – price the city will pay for the solar power. It will also generate thousands of dollars in new property taxes. All of this is done without any taxpayer investment due to the innovative public/private partnership.