Solar energy field coming to Brookhaven landfill

The Town of Brookhaven has approved a lease for a solar installation on capped portions of the town’s landfill in Yaphank.

The 20-year lease with i.on renewables LLC, which has an additional 10-year option to renew, is expected to generate $180,000 a year for the town, according to a town statement.

The solar field, along with fuel cells and harvested methane gas, will be part of an energy park at the landfill, which stops accepting waste in 2024 when it will be capped and closed.

Brookhaven currently has solar arrays at Town Hall, the Brookhaven Amphitheater, Holtsville Ecology Site, Brookhaven Calabro Airport and Manorville Compost Facility. 

In May 2014, the town was awarded a Feed-In Tariff from PSEG Long Island for solar arrays at several town properties. The solar array sites were selected after a review was conducted by PSEG Long Island, on behalf of LIPA to determine the likelihood of a successful project.

“Brookhaven Town has been a leader in renewable energy, and establishing an energy park at the landfill after it is closed makes perfect sense,” Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine said in the statement. “In addition to generating electric power, it will be a key component of our overall commitment to protect and preserve our environment for future generations.”