SolarBank Corporation has announced a collaboration with energy storage innovator Viridi to develop a solar and battery energy storage project on a decommissioned landfill in Buffalo, New York. This initiative aims to transform underutilized land into a functional clean energy asset, contributing to urban sustainability and grid resilience.
The development will feature a 3.06 MW DC ground-mounted solar array integrated with a 1.2 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) using Viridi’s advanced safety-focused technology which includes:
These safety measures make the energy storage system particularly well-suited for deployment in populated areas, ensuring compliance with stringent safety regulations.
The project is structured as a community solar initiative, allowing local residents to participate without installing panels on their properties. Through a subscription model, participants will receive credits on their electricity bills, making clean energy more accessible while enhancing local energy resilience.
From an economic perspective, the success of the project will depend on:
SolarBank and Viridi bring extensive industry experience to the project. SolarBank has developed over 100 MW of renewable energy projects and maintains a development pipeline exceeding 1 GW. Meanwhile, Viridi specializes in fail-safe lithium-ion battery technology, with systems designed for secure deployment in occupied spaces.
SolarBank has already obtained a site lease and submitted interconnection applications. Once the necessary permits and funding are in place, construction will commence, advancing Buffalo’s clean energy infrastructure and demonstrating the potential for repurposing landfill sites into productive assets.
