US waste management firm Republic Services Inc has entered into a deal with solar systems provider Carlisle Energy Services Inc. Republic has transferred its patent pending for a solar landfill cover over to Carlisle in order to gain the maximum use and development of this technology.
Last year Republic implemented its first solar cover technology at the Tessman Road landfill in San Antonio, Texas, with the existing landfill gas to energy system in place to create a sustainable energy park. The techcnology covers a section of the closed landfill with solar collection strips that are adhered to the synthetic geomemebrane.The strips convert sunlight into electricity and increase the amount of energy produced at the landfill.
‘Our core business is managing society’s waste,’ said Brian Bales executive vice president of business development, Republic. ‘We best serve our customers and shareholders by focusing on that mission while supporting continued technological advances for the solid waste industry. Our alliance with Carlisle will enable them to further develop and market this technology.’
‘The industry has struggled for years with beneficial uses of landfill caps, he continued. ‘This solar cap is an innovation that allows us to realize considerable benefit for the landfill and generates clean, renewable energy. Geomembrane covers are already in use across the country, but Republic is the first to integrate flexible solar cell technology to create an energy-producing cover system.’
‘Carlisle has been a leading manufacturer of EPDM and TPO single-ply membranes for nearly half a century,’ said Geoff Slevin general manager Carlisle Energy Services, Inc. ‘These membranes have proven their performance, durability and longevity and are ideal for use in capping landfills. By combining Carlisle’s superior membrane products with flexible solar laminates, the SpectroPowerCap product is a cost-effective way to deploy renewable energy and cap a landfill with a single product. Carlisle is excited to work with Republic to ensure that landfills are fully utilized for optimum energy production.’
