New York's largest solar array to be constructed on former landfill

New York is set to increase its generation of green energy by 50 per cent. A large solar array is to be constructed at Freshkills Park, a former landfill site on Staten Island. Around 47 acres of parkland is set to be leased to SunEdison for the solar array that could power over 2,000 homes in the area.

The parkland on Staten Island was used as a landfill until 2001. At the point of closure the piles of waste measured around 25 metres taller than the statue of liberty and was on its way to becoming the tallest point of the East Coast if it had remained open. The site was transformed into the largest area of parkland in New York after its closure and will soon boast New York's largest solar park. 

Announcing the project, New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, said: "Freshkills was once the site of the largest landfill in the world. Soon it will be one of the City's largest parks, and the site of the largest solar power installation in the five boroughs. 

"Over the last 12 years we've restored wetlands and vegetation and opened new parks and soccer fields at the edges of the site. Thanks to the agreement today we will increase the amount of solar energy produced in New York City by 50 per cent and it is only fitting that Freshkills, once a daily dumping ground, will become a showcase urban renewal and sustainability."

SunEdison will design, construct, install and run the facility that will be spread over 47 acres of parkland. It is estimated that the solar array will be able to generate up to ten megawatts of power. This capacity is around five-times more than any other solar energy system within New York City.

The installation of extra sources of green energy and the use of sustainable technologies have been outlined in the mayor's PlaNYC, which has been created to help combat emissions and climate change and provide a boost to the economy. The scheme hopes to cut the emissions of greenhouse gases by 2030.