Republic Services Inc., a provider of recycling and solid-waste collection, transfer and disposal services, has inaugurated a solar energy cover on its closed Hickory Ridge landfill near Atlanta. The 45-acre closure system, which includes 10 acres of solar panels, is the world's largest landfill solar energy cap, according to Republic Services.
The flexible solar cover technology used – a Spectro PowerCap made by Carlisle Energy Services – is designed to increase renewable energy output at landfills and will generate 1 MW of electricity, the company says. The system features Carlisle's three-ply, scrim-reinforced GeoTPO Geomembrane that serves as both the closure system and platform for integrated solar photovoltaics.
The roughly $5 million investment by Republic for the project is being offset by a $2 million grant of federal stimulus money awarded through the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority.
