How We Capped the Berkeley Landfill and Delivered Clean Energy to 1,800 Homes

For decades, the Berkeley Township landfill sat idle: uncapped, unused, and unresolved. Like many municipalities, the township lacked the resources to close the landfill properly, leaving the site in limbo since operations ceased in 1982.

When we first began conversations with township leaders, it was clear that they weren’t just looking for a solar developer. They needed a long-term partner who could help them turn this environmental liability into a clean energy asset, without placing the cost burden on residents. 

Fortunately, with deep experience in complex landfill redevelopment and community solar, we knew we could help them achieve both goals at once.

Strategic Public-Private Partnership

In 2020, we entered into a public-private partnership with Berkeley Township to cap the landfill and install two 5 MW systems on the site, for a combined 10 megawatts of community solar. 

From day one, we managed the project end-to-end: environmental assessments, permitting, design, construction, and commissioning. Our turnkey EPC model simplified the process by eliminating coordination gaps and ensuring seamless handoffs between phases. This approach allowed the township to resolve a long-standing challenge while generating local clean energy and revenue from township-owned land – at no cost to taxpayers.

Planning and Permitting: Two Years of Groundwork

Landfill redevelopment is never simple. When solar is involved, the complexity increases. Before breaking ground, our team spent nearly two years conducting detailed environmental studies, engineering assessments, and navigating the permitting process with multiple regulatory bodies, including the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Pinelands Commission.

One of the most critical steps was designing a capping solution that met all state requirements while supporting the long-term performance of the solar system. That meant careful attention to site grading, layering, and system integration to ensure the landfill was safely closed and ready to support a high-performing clean energy asset. 

Throughout the process, we worked closely with both regulators and township officials to keep the project moving forward.

Engineering and Construction Highlights

With permitting complete, we moved into full-scale engineering and construction, bringing to life a system designed not just for performance but also for durability and site-specific challenges. The project uses both AC and DC coupled system configurations to maximize energy capture and flexibility across the two solar arrays.

Our team managed the entire process, from racking and module installation to EMS and ESS commissioning. This eliminated the need for our partners to coordinate between multiple vendors – minimizing delays, reducing risk, and ensuring long-term performance.

We also worked closely with Luminace and their U.S.-based commissioning team to accelerate final integration, meet the state’s technical and timing requirements, and bring the systems online efficiently.

A Dual Milestone for Community Solar

This project is one of the first in the nation to cap a landfill and install a community solar system on it simultaneously. For Berkeley Township, it solved a decades-old environmental issue and now delivers clean energy from an otherwise unusable site. 

The two 5 MW systems are part of New Jersey’s Community Solar Energy Pilot Program, which has since been made permanent. These systems provide renewable power to 1,800 local homes, more than half of which are low- to moderate-income households. Over the next 20 years, residents are expected to save a collective $6.4 million on their energy bills.

We’re excited to see this smart, collaborative infrastructure delivering long-term environmental, economic, and equity benefits. By transforming an uncapped landfill into an energy asset, the township generates new revenue, avoids the significant financial burden of a traditional landfill closure, and contributes to New Jersey’s ambitious goal of 100% clean energy by 2035.

A Model for Landfill Redevelopment Nationwide

Berkeley Township’s success story reflects a much bigger opportunity. Across the U.S., there are thousands of closed or underutilized landfills – many of which are unsuitable for traditional redevelopment, but ideal for solar. For instance, a report by RMI found that if just a portion of these sites were used for solar, they could generate enough power for millions of homes.

With this project, we’ve now completed more than 230 megawatts of landfill solar across the country and 310 megawatts of solar in New Jersey alone. Our experience has shown that, with the right technical approach and collaborative partnerships, landfill solar can transform long-forgotten sites into long-term community assets.

What’s Next

Projects like this are why we do what we do. They combine problem-solving, clean energy deployment, and community benefit in one integrated effort. We’re proud to have helped Berkeley Township close its landfill, deliver real savings to residents, and take a major step toward its sustainability goals.

Looking ahead, we’re focused on bringing this model to more communities. Whether it’s a capped landfill, an idle brownfield, or another underutilized site, we’re ready to deliver the expertise, coordination, and full-scope solutions that make clean energy accessible to all.

Interested in learning more about our solar and BESS services? Get in touch with one of our experts to find how we can assist with your project.