British solar developers found a solution for limited space for solar farms: A 58.8 MW solar park under construction on the outskirts of London is being built on top of 5 mn tons landfill, providing an example of how clean energy providers can solve the space dilemma when tasked with supplying power to big cities, Bloomberg reports. Transmission, distribution, and proximity to electricity use are important factors when planning a solar project, according to Popkin from the Rocky Mountain Institute, adding landfill solar allows for the reinvention of these sites for future energy needs.

How they did it: To prevent the foundations of the fixed panels from piercing through the sealing of the landfill site underground, the panels needed to be fixed to ballasted bases made of concrete, Bloomberg explains. Additionally, some had to be installed with adjustable legs in case the ground moves over time as the trash underneath decomposes. These factors led to the plant costing around 5% more than a solar farm installed on ordinary land, director of business development at NTR Plc Eamonn Medley told the news outlet. In similar pilot projects in the US and southern Brazil, the cost can be as much as 15% higher depending on the state of the landfill as well as freight and material prices.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

  • Climate change is battering Afghanistan: A persistent drought exacerbated by climate change is worsening the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, taking its toll on food security and the economy — a third of which is generated by agriculture. (Reuters)
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