“From Landfill to Solar Power: How Ft. Edward, New York is Leading the Clean Energy Charge”

The community solar landfill site in Ft. Edward, New York, has been transformed into a sustainable energy project that will benefit hundreds of local households. The project, a joint effort between Kendall Sustainable Infrastructure, AC Power, and GreenSpark Solar, has converted a former landfill into a 7-megawatt solar project spanning 58 acres.

Initially used as a landfill from 1969 to 1991, the site was considered an environmental burden until it underwent cleanup and capping. By 2019, the town of Fort Edward began seeking proposals from developers on how to repurpose the empty site. Now, the solar community site will provide power to over 800 households, contributing to New York’s clean energy goals.

The project aligns with New York’s aim to install 3,000 megawatts of clean energy by 2030 and achieve zero-emissions electricity by 2040. AC Power’s founder and CEO, Annika Colston, commended the town’s forward-thinking approach in repurposing the landfill site for sustainable energy production.

Community solar projects like this one collect solar energy at a centralized location and distribute it to local residents and businesses through a subscription model. This makes solar energy more accessible to those who may not be able to install their own panels, helping to reduce energy bills and enhance community resilience.

In addition to providing clean energy, redeveloping brownfield sites like the Fort Edward project offers environmental and economic benefits. These sites, previously contaminated with hazardous substances, can be remediated to reduce risks to the community and create sustainable opportunities.

The companies involved in the Fort Edward project are also working on a similar brownfield redevelopment in Queensbury, New York, where a former factory site will be transformed into a 6-megawatt solar site. This demonstrates the potential for repurposing underutilized land for renewable energy generation.

Overall, the Fort Edward community solar landfill project showcases the innovative ways in which environmental challenges can be turned into sustainable solutions. It serves as a model for other communities looking to repurpose brownfield sites for clean energy production and environmental remediation.