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Discover how Enovert transformed a closed landfill site into a 2.1MW solar installation with Harvest Green Developments, generating over £400,000 in energy savings per year and reducing carbon emissions by 12,240 tonnes over the system’s lifetime.
Lifetime Savings: £12,000,000
Enovert turns a closed landfill into a clean energy powerhouse
Enovert, a leading UK waste management company, has embraced renewable energy by transforming a historic, closed landfill in Gloucester into a 2.116MW solar PV park. Partnering with Harvest Green Developments, the project has allowed Enovert to generate clean electricity, offset carbon emissions, and create a new revenue stream from land that could not be used for any other purpose.
The site, closed since the 1970s, presented a unique opportunity. With decades of settling complete and most landfill gas generation managed, the land was ideal for a ground-mounted solar installation. Harvest Green Developments worked closely with Enovert to assess ground conditions, safely navigate leachate and gas infrastructure, and deliver a system designed to maximise performance and minimise risk.
Transforming challenges into solutions
The project was not without its hurdles. Delays in planning, including a temporary loss of the Gloucester planning application due to a security breach at the local coucil, and prolonged grid negotiations with NGET, required patience and meticulous project management. Harvest Green Developments ensured Enovert was kept informed throughout every stage, from planning and ground testing to securing the export agreement for solar generation.
The system comprises 4,032 Longi Solar modules at 525 watts each, mounted on robust ground-mounted structures with Solis 100k inverters. Energy flows are monitored in real time through Solis Cloud and Juggle Energy, providing full transparency of energy production, consumption, and export. The installation is complemented by a two-year operations and maintenance package, including spares and CCTV monitoring, ensuring the system operates safely and efficiently.
An impact on sustainability and finances
Enovert now produces approximately 2,000MWh of clean electricity per year. Only 25% of this is consumed on-site to power operational requirements such as leachate treatment, while the remainder is exported to the grid, creating a reliable income stream. Over a 30-year lifespan, the system is projected to reduce carbon emissions by 12,240 tonnes, showing how solar can complement a company’s existing sustainability efforts and offset historical emissions from landfill operations.
Financially, the system provides annual energy savings of around £400,000, with the potential to expand in the future with battery storage and additional solar capacity. By reducing reliance on the grid and generating income through energy export, Enovert has strengthened operational resilience and future-proofed a site that once had limited utility.
Collaboration, expertise, and safety at the heart of the project
The success of this installation was a result of close collaboration between Enovert and Harvest Green Developments, alongside key stakeholders including Energy Oasis, NatWest, and Lombard Finance. Every step was carefully managed, with safety and compliance central to the design, particularly around landfill gas infrastructure and leachate systems. The project also received recognition from local stakeholders, including former MP Richard Graham, who attended the official opening ceremony, highlighting the positive community and environmental impact the install has had.
Planning for the future
Enovert’s solar installation demonstrates the potential for repurposing closed landfills while generating clean, reliable energy. The company is already exploring opportunities to expand the facility, integrate battery storage, and further increase solar capacity to meet growing energy needs and sustainability objectives.
Looking to repurpose land and save on energy costs?
If Enovert’s pioneering approach to transforming a closed landfill inspires you, Harvest Green Developments can help your business explore bespoke commercial solar solutions, maximise energy savings, and enhance your sustainability profile.
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