On Cleveland’s west side, a piece of land that once held little potential for redevelopment is being given a new purpose: helping power the community.
The former Bradbury Landfill site near West 11th Street and Spring Road will soon become home to a new solar energy project, bringing clean, locally generated power to Cleveland Public Power customers.
The project is the result of collaboration between the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, with support from a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant awarded to advance solar development on former landfill and brownfield sites.
For Cleveland, it is an opportunity to take land that cannot easily be used for homes, businesses or traditional development and turn it into something that benefits the community.
A new use for an old site
Landfills are challenging to redevelop. The ground beneath them cannot simply be excavated for conventional construction. Solar offers another option.
The West 11th project can be built while protecting the landfill cap, allowing the City to make productive use of the property without compromising the site’s environmental protections.
The planned solar array will produce approximately 1.5 megawatts of AC electricity, with the project expected to be commissioned by the end of 2027. The electricity generated here will be delivered to CPP customers, adding another source of locally generated power to the utility’s energy portfolio.
Plans also call for a park with educational exhibits where residents can learn more about the solar array, renewable energy and how Cleveland is using its resources to build a stronger energy future.
Keeping more of our energy local
For Cleveland residents, local generation matters.
Electricity prices are affected by regional energy markets, rising demand and the cost of producing and delivering power. By generating more electricity locally, CPP can reduce the amount of power it needs to purchase from the market.
Every unit of electricity generated here is a unit that does not have to be purchased somewhere else.
One solar project will not dramatically change customers’ bills overnight, but West 11th is a first step in a longer-term effort to expand Cleveland’s local generation resources. As that effort grows, locally generated power can help reduce the cost of supplying electricity and provide greater protection from fluctuations in energy prices.
Strengthening Cleveland’s energy future
Local generation also strengthens Cleveland’s energy future.
During periods of extreme heat, storms or other events that put pressure on the electric system, having a diverse mix of generation resources can help reduce reliance on a single source of power.
While the West 11th solar project will not solve every challenge facing the energy system, it represents the kind of investment that can make a difference over time.
For the neighborhood, a former landfill will have a new purpose. For Cleveland, it means clean energy generated right here in the city. And for CPP customers, it is another step toward a future with more reliable, affordable and sustainable power.