Landfill featured in Geosynthetics wins award for use of solar panels

A landfill in San Antonio, featured in the August/September issue of Geosynthetics, has received an award from the Texas Council of Engineering Companies (TCEC) for its use of photovoltaic (solar) panels.

Republic Services’ Tessman Road Landfill received a gold medal in the TCEC’s Engineering Excellence Awards. Specifically, the award is for an exposed geomembrane cover that is positioned atop closed sections of the landfill and serves as a mounting surface for panels that collect solar energy, which is then used for power generation.

Solar strips are attached to the geomembrane cap. The flexible, laminate-type photovoltaic solar collection strips are configured on the geomembrane cap to maximize hours of sunlight throughout the year, according to the Geosynthetics article.

Republic’s research suggests that more than 2,000 of the company’s closed landfill acres could eventually be covered with solar-energy geomembranes.

“We are honored that this innovative technology has been recognized for its positive impact on the surrounding community,” said Chris Synek, senior vice president-south for Republic, in a press release. “We’re continually researching, developing and implementing innovative technologies to help us preserve and conserve our natural resources.”