United Solar, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) (Nasdaq:ENER) and a leading global manufacturer of light-weight, flexible thin-film solar modules, announces the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) landfill cover in the world. The one megawatt installation is located at the Hickory Ridge Solid Waste Landfill in Conley, Georgia and is viewable during take-off and landing at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The closed landfill is owned and maintained by Republic Services of Phoenix, Arizona.
The UNI-SOLAR® lightweight, flexible solar panels are bonded to a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) geomembrane manufactured by Carlisle Energy Services, a United Solar channel partner. The integrated system consisting of nearly 7,000 UNI-SOLAR PVL-144 modules over 10-acres of landfill cover is a complete geomembrane cap closure system. The project is expected to provide a carbon offset of 1,374 metric tons per year. In addition, the annual energy generation is enough to supply over 200 households with electricity each year.
"This project with Republic Services and Carlisle Energy Services is an excellent example of like-minded companies working together towards a cleaner environment as this solar energy installation provides for an immediate revitalization of the landfill for use as a clean energy plant," said Steve Szamocki, Senior Vice President of Sales for United Solar. "UNI-SOLAR PV laminates are an ideal application for landfills because their flexibility allows for the shifting surface of the landfill cover. Commodity glass solar panels simply cannot match the unique benefits of the UNI-SOLAR landfill solution."
"With thousands of landfills across the country, and thousands more around the world, we see tremendous opportunity for this application of our pioneering flexible solar laminates," Szamocki concluded.
United Solar, with more than 25 years experience in the industry of solar power generation, is the largest manufacturer of lightweight, flexible solar panels in the world, and has been awarded nearly 70 United States patents for various technological advancements. This project represents the third completed installation of UNI-SOLAR laminates on a landfill in the United States.