New solar farm on former waste site brings clean energy to 260+ households, setting a renewable energy precedent.

Nautilus Solar Energy has successfully repurposed a former army depot and waste dump into a thriving community solar project. Located in Guilderland, Albany County, New York, the 2.8-megawatt (MW) solar farm will provide clean energy to over 260 households within National Grid’s service area.

The project is situated on what was once the Schenectady Army Depot – Voorheesville Area, a crucial facility during World War II and the Korean War. The site, known for its municipal waste dump and burn pit, has been transformed under the U.S. Department of the Army’s Defense Environmental Restoration Program for Formerly Used Defense Sites (DERP-FUDS). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have rehabilitated the area, turning it from a liability into a valuable community asset.

The solar array, mounted as a fixed-tilt ballasted system on the vegetated landfill cap, ensures minimal disturbance to the underlying structure. Nautilus Solar's Eric LaMora hailed the project as a significant achievement in renewable energy, emphasizing its role in advancing clean energy while fostering local economic growth.

There are over 10,000 potential FUDS properties across the U.S., with around 5,400 identified for investigation and cleanup. The successful conversion of this site highlights the potential for transforming similar properties into renewable energy resources.