Tessman Road Landfill
Solar Energy Cover System
Colorado Rocky Mountain Chapter of
Solid Waste Association of North America
2009 Annual Conference
Solar Energy Cover - Overview

Project Overview
 Design/Construction of 5.6-Acre Test Area
 Benefits of a Solar Energy Cover System
 Permitting Hurdles
Project Overview
1. This project will cover portions of soon to be
closed areas of active landfills with flexible,
laminate-type photovoltaic (PV) solar collection
strips.
2. The flexible solar laminates, which capture the
sun's rays for conversion into electricity, are
adhered directly to a synthetic green-colored
geomembrane.
3. Unlike the more traditional rigid solar panels,
which are bulky and frequently cost-prohibitive to
install, Republic's system uses flexible
nonreflective collection strips less than 1/4 inch
thick.
Photovoltaic Power Solar Cells
 The most common
form of solar energy
is photovoltaic power,
in which solar cells
convert sunlight
directly into
electricity.
 Solar cells are ¼”
thick.
 Stand-alone or Utility
Inter-tied
Solar Energy Cover – Design Factors
 Durability of Geomembrane
 UV Exposure
 Aesthetics
 Ballast for Wind & Gas Uplift
 Access
 Safety
 Design Life of Solar System
 Increased Stormwater Runoff
5.6-Acre Test Area
Republic Services, Inc.
Tessman Road Landfill

Permitted in July 1981

One of Largest in TX: 2,500 – 5,000 T/Day

844-Acre Permit Boundary

601-Acre Footprint – 233 Acres Currently Developed

Project Groundwork Started Two Years Ago
Solar Array Layout – 5.6 Acres
Geomembrane Subgrade Prep
Geosynthetic Material Selection
 Ultra-Ply TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin)
Green 60 mil polypropylene-based material with
reinforcement.
Meets required performance specifications for
strength, thickness, and flexibility.
-
Resists damage caused by exposure to sunlight
-
Resists damage caused by high and low
temperatures
-
Resists puncture damage caused by hail stones
-
Resists damage from wind
Geomembrane Deployment
Preventing Wind Uplift
Preventing Wind Uplift
Anchor and Ballast Excavation
Initial Ballast Trench Design
Initial Ballast Trench Design
Initial Ballast Trench – Cover Strip
Solar Panel Wiring Conduit
Geomembrane Penetrations
Solar Cover
United Solar Ovonic (UniSolar)
Flexible Photovoltaic Laminates
 Uni-Solar Flexible
Photovoltaic
Laminates
-
Designed originally for rooftop
application
-
Flexible, lightweight, durable
-
Work well in shadow and low light
-
High heat tolerant
-
Power ratings of 128W to 144W
-
Compatible raised wireway
United Solar Ovonic (UniSolar)
Flexible Photovoltaic Laminates
 Product = PVL - 128
 1,050 Flexible PVL’s
 35 Pods (30 PVL’s Each)
 135 KW System
Solar Electricity Generation
 PV System
Energy
Output:
For the fixed
array set at 15
degrees in San
Antonio is
approximately
182,319kWh
for an array
rated at
134.4kW (DC)
Photovoltaic Laminates – Pod
Construction
PVL Pods on Geomembrane Surface
Solar Energy Cover - Benefits
 Energy Utilized for On-site Needs or Sale to Utility
 Potential Pathway to Final Closure Status
 Minimize Infiltration
 No Erosion – Improve Water Quality
 Value-Added Design for Sites with Soil Deficit
 Reduce Long-Term Maintenance
 Airspace Efficiency
 Access to Inspect Liner/Address Liner Repairs
Permitting Process
 Initial Authorization for 5.6-Acre
Test Area
 Permit Modification to Allow Use of
the Solar Energy Cover System Over
70% of the Waste Footprint Area
Permitting
 Permit modification included an option to
use either an Evapotranspiration (ET)
Alternative Final Cover or the Solar
Energy Cover System.
 The Solar Energy Cover area was limited
to certain areas due to drainage
constraints.
Permitting
 Site will be allowed to enter the
postclosure period with both the Solar
Cover and the ET AFC.
 During the postclosure period, the Solar
Cover will remain in place as long as it is
feasible to maintain the system. This
period may extend past the 30-year
postclosure period.
Permitting
 If the Solar cover is utilized past the 30-year
postclosure period, the site may be allowed to
reduce or eliminate certain monitoring
requirements, such as perimeter LFG monitoring
and groundwater monitoring. The Postclosure
Care Plan and financial assurance requirements
will be modified to be consistent with the
proposed reduced monitoring at the time this
request is made.
 Once the site determines that it is no longer
feasible to produce solar power from the EGSC,
ET final cover will be constructed over the Solar
Cover area.
Solar Energy Covers – Looking Forward
Research Alternative Ballast Methods
 Distance Between Ballast Trenches
 Wiring Conduit Above Geomembrane
 Prefabricated Solar Geomembrane Panels
 Enhanced Solar Technology
Questions?