Nebraska County to Use Grant Money to Transform Landfill into Solar Power Field

Nebraska’s Douglas County is partnering up with Omaha Public Power District on a new project to transform a landfill into a solar power field.

The Solar on Landfills Utility Scale, also known as SOLUS, will take the landfill on Douglas County State Street and turn it into a place for renewable energy.

“We greatly value our partnership with Douglas County on this project. It is a great example of Nebraska ingenuity at work as we seek opportunities to add more renewable energy to our generation portfolio,” OPPD President and CEO Javier Fernandez said in a statement.

The landfill opened in 1973 but closed in 1989 to isolate waste.

"Closed landfills have limited future uses," said Kent Holm, director of Douglas County Environmental Services. "This project identifies a potential compatible use that will provide additional power to the community."

The SOLUS study will begin in December and continue until June 2024.

A grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust of $3.46 million will help partially cover the costs for the solar project.

"We are excited to see this project move forward," said Commissioner Mary Ann Borgeson, chairwoman of the Douglas County Board. "This project comes at a critical time to meet a greater demand for electricity due to a growing population and new industrial customers within the service district. It is a win-win for the County, OPPD, and ultimately our citizens."

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