Infrastructure Upgrades and Solar Array Installation for Closed Verona Landfill

The Dane County (County) Department of Waste & Renewables (W&R) is inviting proposals for the design, permitting, construction, and operation of a solar array development to be located at the closed Verona Landfill (4654 Maple Grove Drive, Verona, WI). The scope of work will include two categories:

Category 1: Landfill Infrastructure Upgrades
Phase 1: Site Assessment
Phase 2: Site Assessment for Beneficial Use of Landfill Gas
Phase 3: Permits
Phase 4: Construction Documents
Phase 5: Construction Oversight

Category 2: Solar Design, Construction, and Operations

Each category is detailed in the Scope of Work. Proposers may choose to respond to one or both of the categories.

W&R is responsible for the management and operation of Dane County owned landfills, a renewable natural gas (RNG) facility, Clean Sweep (a household hazardous waste and electronics recycling program), a construction and demolition (C&D) recycling facility, and various other recycling programs for materials like tires and shingles. W&R’s mission is to provide environmentally sound and sustainable waste management and renewable energy solutions for current Dane County residents and future generations.

The closed Verona Landfill is managed by W&R. The closed landfill is a part of a larger County complex which includes the Badger Prairie Needs Network, the Badger Prairie Health Care Center, Dane County Consolidated Food Service, and Badger Prairie County Park. The four parcels being considered for solar array development are:

062/0608-141-8501-0
062/0608-141-8021-1
062/0608-141-9002-0
062/0608-141-9521-4

The landfill contains both a leachate collection system and landfill gas collection system (GCS). Until recently, the landfill gas was used in two combustion engines that had been producing 175 kW of power. The electricity was used to offset the electricity consumption of the Badger Prairie Health Care Center, Badger Prairie Needs Network, and Dane County Consolidated Food Service. The gas generated from the landfill will eventually decrease to a non-viable level for electrical generation. Dane County will maintain gas collection and electrical generation as long as it is environmentally and fiscally responsible.

Dane County has the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% countywide by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Dane County has the goal to be carbon neutral for county operations by 2030. A key objective in achieving these goals is transitioning Dane County’s electrical consumption to renewable energy sources. This transition to 100% renewable electricity was achieved by the County in 2024. The transition was accomplished through regional utility grid portfolio upgrades and Dane County renewable energy projects, such as the Yahara Solar Project and the Dane County Regional Airport Solar project .

An increase in electrical demand from growing County operations will require additional renewable electricity and is the primary motivation for this project.