UVA students get behind-the-scenes look at Dominion’s first solar project on a closed landfill

IVY, Va. (WVIR) — A site used to store garbage will soon become a first-of-its-kind solar project in Albemarle County.

Ivy Landfill has been closed for decades, but now, through the installation of 7,200 solar panels, it’s getting a second chance to serve the community.

The planned three-megawatt solar facility in Ivy will be Dominion Energy’s first on a landfill and will generate enough energy to power as many as 750 houses.

“Usually, these types of areas don’t really have much alternative use, not really in terms of real estate development or any type of other opportunity,” said Willie Barton, Dominion Energy’s Business Development Manager. “This is a great opportunity to breathe second life into a closed landfill.”

A group of fourth-year engineering students at the University of Virginia have been studying the site for the past year and have even created their own solar design as a part of their Capstone project. The work involved meticulous planning of solar installation on a landfill, which has a unique topography.

On Monday, April 21, these students donned their construction hats and vests and got a chance to see the project firsthand.

“I’m going to use the word surreal,” said fourth-year student Mina Gorani. “It’s been pretty exciting. We’ve been looking at this area for again, like nine months now…it’s really fun to be here in person.”

Dominion has already broken ground and says the facility could be up and running as soon as September.

“It’s really amazing to help build up renewable energy capacity in Virginia, and also do it on land that otherwise would be kind of wasted,” Gorani said. “We can really be leaders in this new front of energy development.”

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