CEP Renewables’ BEMS project begins construction, another landfill solar in NJ

pv MAG Jun 10, 2024 EST (United States)

Utility-scale solar projects developer CEP Renewables and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) energy company CS Energy announced construction has commenced on the 10-MW BEMS community solar landfill project, located on the Big Hill Landfill in Southampton, New Jersey. This project will convert a previously unusable site into a solar-generating asset with a focus on supplying affordable clean energy to low-to-moderate income (LMI) residents. Meanwhile, it will enable the township to recoup 40 years of back taxes and interest.

According to the management of CEP Renewables, this BEMS solar project will be built upon the successful practice of the company’s 25.6-MWdc Mount Olive landfill solar plant completed early this month, which is ranked the largest among landfill solar in North America. Similar to the Mount Olive project, the BEMS project was also purchased by way of the redevelopment and tax lien foreclosure process. As per the agreement between CEP Renewables and the township of Southampton, CEP Renewables acquired the tax liens from the township, paying back all past-due taxes in the process, and foreclosed on the landfill property. That is to say, CEP Renewables is now the owner of this landfill site, and the township has been able to recoup nearly 40 years of back taxes and interest. Upon completion by 2023, this BEMS project will enable New Jersey to provide the most planned community solar capacity among the U.S. states, serving LMI households.

CEP Renewables owns global expertise in solar projects development. Now the company is dedicated to contributing to New Jersey’s energy transition and ambitious Energy Master Plan. It is reported that redeveloping closed landfills could add more than 60 GW of solar capacity for the U.S. So far, CEP Renewables has been leading the development of 16 landfill or brownfield projects.