The document discusses the potential of solar power production on brownfield sites as a means to address environmental challenges and promote renewable energy. It highlights government initiatives, such as the Brightfields program, which aims to repurpose contaminated lands for solar energy generation, providing economic and sustainability benefits. Key considerations for implementing solar projects on these sites include site selection, engineering challenges, and the advantages of revitalizing underutilized properties.

1. Solar Power Production on Brownfields CRA Brownfield Committee Meeting 12/3/09 Chris Nelson National Partner, Brownfields SCS Engineers

2. Context Executive Order S-3-05 (California Governor Schwarzenegger) - June 1, 2005 CA will reduce Greenhouse Gases to: 2000 levels by 2010 1990 levels by 2020 80% below 1990 levels by 2050

3. The Challenge 1990 Emission Baseline ~173 MMT CO 2 E Reduction 80% Reduction ~341 MMTCO 2 E

4. Context What’s driving interest in Alternative Energy (“AE”)? (California) AB 32 The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 Oil prices fluctuating around $80/bbl or higher Desire for Energy Security Green Economy drivers such as Clean tech/green jobs Sustainability initiatives and mandates Government programs such as Renewable Portfolio Standards Renewable Energy Credits Federal Investment Tax Credits Feed In Tariffs

5. Federal Programs Department of Energy Brightfields Environmental Protection Agency RePowering America’s Lands

6. DOE “Brightfields” According to www.epa.gov/brownfields/partners/brightfd.htm : Brightfields is a revolutionary concept that addresses three of the nation's biggest challenges - urban revitalization, toxic waste cleanup, and climate change -- by bringing pollution-free solar energy and high-tech solar manufacturing jobs to brownfields. The Brightfields approach offers a range of opportunities to link solar energy to brownfields redevelopment and thereby transform community hazards and eyesores into productive, green ventures……

7. Brightfields DOE’s Brightfields also promotes the concept through the following measures: Solar Technology (PV) development ($51.5 million) to improve efficiencies of Solar PV technologies Solar Energy Deployment ($40.5 million) Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Research & Development (R&D)

8. RE-Powering America’s Lands Joint EPA and NREL effort EPA launched RE-Powering America’s Land in 2008 Recognized the potential Alternative Energy (AE) development opportunities of certain EPA tracked sites Brownfields Superfund and CERCLIS sites Abandoned Mine Lands RCRA To date, have mapped over 16 million acres 850,000 acres of these are sites undergoing long term O&M

9. Why AE on EPA Mapped Sites? Many of these sites offer: Adequate Zoning Existing infrastructure - transmission lines, roads and railway NIMBY issues may be less prevalent Siting renewable energy on these sites may: Increase economic value for the property Further environmental sustainability by maximizing land use Have lower overall transaction costs compared to greenfields Reduce the stress on greenfields by reusing these sites Provide clean energy for use on-site, locally, and/or to utility grid Create local jobs for development and operation of renewable energy facilities

10. Map Tool Details Google Earth Maps Joint EPA-NREL venture produced interactive maps Mapped EPA inventory of EPA tracked sites Abandoned Mine Lands Brownfields RCRA Superfund National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Data Wind, Solar and Biomass Resources Infrastructure Data U.S. Highways U.S. States U.S. National Transportation Atlas Railroads Transmission Lines The distance EPA used to determine feasibility was within 10 miles, so clearly some refinements to the tools are warranted

11. Google Earth Tool

12. Solar Generation and Brownfields Solar Generation Facilities provide an excellent opportunity for re-use of brownfield sites: Specific brownfield sites that are suitable for solar generation include: Capped, retired landfills - Support 1-5 MW of solar generation in addition to methane capture; Large parking lots, airstrips, etc. – Provide an ideal & level building surface without the need to remove the asphalt; Retired and active mines (specifically tailings fields) Enable onsite generation for a large electricity user Creates a positive re-use of a degraded property; No air emissions, limited water use and no generated waste fuel

13. Nuts and Bolts Considerations for Solar on Brownfields and closed landfills Choose older sites (20-30 years post closure) where much settlement has occurred Cleared sites with shallow south facing slopes, flat areas ideal Integrate stormwater controls into construction (account for channels being covered by panels and adjust) Maintaining the integrity of top liners, either synthetic or natural Landfill gas collection system components (on landfills) or groundwater pump and treat systems may restrict the use of some areas Cover vegetation removed for panels, there must be provisions to divert runoff so that erosion of a landfill soil cap does not occur Solar panels can be wind collectors; sufficient engineering required to ensure panels and their foundations are properly anchored and will not be impacted by the elements (wind, snow, hail, etc.)

14. Nuts and Bolts Considerations for Solar on Brownfields and closed landfills Permitting/entitlements Financing, transaction issues PPAs, power needs, Feed In Tariffs? Uses for power on site/proximity to the grid/transmission lines Renewable Energy Credits Federal Investment Tax Credits Advantages Increased positive community relations opportunity Clean energy generation/GHG emission reductions Off set perpetual monitoring costs over time with sale of electricity or reduction in energy costs on site Put unproductive sites back into productive use

15. Example Projects Ft. Carson, CO Closed Army Landfill Axio Power installed rigid solar panels on the landfill deck

16. Example Projects Brockton, MA Brightfield project UniSolar Flexible Thin Film Solar panels on Tessman Road LF recently closed cell – San Antonio, TX Allied Waste/Republic LF