State, Municipal Leaders Celebrate the Official Launch of Rhode Island’s Largest Closed Landfill Solar Site
July 25 2024 - 4:49PM
The Bristol Landfill Solar Project, Rhode Island’s largest closed
landfill solar site, is officially operational.
NuGen Capital Management, LLC, the project developer, joined
Toray Plastics (America), Inc. and other partners along with state
and municipal elected leaders today to celebrate the ribbon-cutting
of the Bristol Landfill Solar Project. The 6.875-MWdc solar site
occupies more than 90 acres of the Town of Bristol’s capped
landfill.
Developed as part of NuGen’s ongoing efforts to transform
neglected sites, the Bristol Landfill Solar Project consists of
20,692 solar panels and has an estimated annual production of
8,700,000 kWh. This equates to the energy needed to power more than
700 homes and businesses, or offset 9 million miles driven by
gasoline-powered vehicles.
“All of us at NuGen are incredibly excited to see years of hard
work and collaboration lead to the successful completion of a
needed and important solar project for the State of Rhode Island,”
said David Milner, CEO, NuGen Capital Management,
LLC. “This project has been a labor of love, and we extend our
gratitude to all of our partners and the dedicated team of workers
whose invaluable contributions have enabled us to deliver a
significant supply of clean energy to our home state.”
Toray, a subsidiary of the multinational Toray Group, will
purchase 100 percent of the energy generated from the Bristol
Landfill Solar Project. Toray manufactures high-performance films
and is the largest consumer of commercial energy in Rhode Island.
The company’s R&D is focused on the development of materials
that are fossil fuel-free, compostable, biodegradable, and/or
recyclable. Its sustainability initiative, launched in 2004,
includes the operating of three solar farms and two cogeneration
systems, energy and water conservation, recycling, and zero
landfill. This project marks another major accomplishment for Toray
as it works to fulfill its emissions reduction goals.
“The Toray team is thrilled to be a part of the Bristol Landfill
Solar Project, which marks a significant milestone for Rhode
Island’s and Toray’s sustainability goals,” said
Christopher Roy, President, CEO, and COO, Toray
Plastics (America), Inc. “This project underscores our unwavering
dedication to sustainable growth and investment in the communities
where we operate.”
NuGen proudly supports the state’s efforts to transform
neglected or underutilized sites, such as brownfields, landfills,
and roofs, into clean energy producers that reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and preserve the natural beauty of the state. Brownfield
redevelopment is crucial for sustainability, yet it is complex and
fraught with development risks. Supported with a brownfield grant
from Rhode Island Commerce’s Renewable Energy Fund, NuGen leveraged
its solar development expertise to transform this site into a
beacon of clean energy, enhancing the community and supporting the
State of Rhode Island’s ambitious clean energy goals.
“Rhode Island Commerce’s Renewable Energy Fund is proud to have
supported the state’s latest solar farm,” said Rhode
Island Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner.
“This investment allowed us to turn an environmental challenge into
an opportunity for clean energy production, sustainability, and
innovative land use.”
“Congratulations to the Town of Bristol for advancing this
project on their property,” said Chris Kearns,
Acting Commissioner of the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources.
“The use of landfills for constructing solar systems is an
excellent example of repurposing these limited-use contaminated
sites. This project contributes to our state's objective of
achieving 100 percent renewable electricity by 2033.”
NuGen is pleased to celebrate this achievement with Toray, other
partners and supporters, and members of the Bristol community. The
company collaborated closely with the local community and generated
approximately 130 jobs during construction. This project is
emblematic of NuGen’s commitment to Rhode Island’s carbon reduction
goals, growth, and workforce development.
“To see this project come to fruition is another example of our
finding innovative ways to optimize the use of Bristol’s
resources,” said Bristol Town Administrator Steven
Contente. “This otherwise unusable land now hosts an
efficient, green-energy installation and delivers additional
revenues that help ease the tax burden to our residents.”
About NuGen Capital Management
NuGen Capital is a leading developer, owner, operator, and
investor in renewable energy infrastructure. It possesses an
ownership mindset and offers a comprehensive platform that
encompasses solar development and ownership, fleet electrification,
and tax equity syndication. NuGen is committed to solving and
tackling the complex challenges of the clean energy transition.
For more information, contact:Chris RaiaDuffy
& Shanley for NuGen Capital
Managementcraia@duffyshanley.com
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
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