Solar Power Cells, Hot Water, Energy, Collectors

Area landfills getting new lease on life due to solar, wind projects

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Area landfills could be turned from idle, unwanted land into spaces for clean energy projects if a set of proposals becomes reality.

In Westport, the old landfill off Hixbridge Road, which was capped in 1998, provides 13 acres and what the town calls “excellent southern exposure” for a solar panel project.

The town released a request for proposals in mid-December and plans to award a 20-year contract by the end of February.

The town would simply lease the land to a contractor that would provide its own equipment. “It would cost the town nothing,” Interim Town Administrator Jack Healey said.

“The town would have no liability.”

Healey estimated the contract could provide the town with a quarter-million dollars annually.

“Towns are not going to survive in this economic climate unless they find alternative revenue sources,” Healey said.

In June, Dartmouth signed a contract with a solar company to lease about 10 acres of an old landfill off Russells Mills Road, then buy the electricity from the company and sell it to NSTAR at a higher rate. The profit for the town from the 1.4 megawatts of electricity is estimated to be $130,000 or more annually, executive administrator David Cressman said.

Source: Fall River Herald News