Ameren Missouri, BJC HealthCare establish new solar energy project in midtown St. Louis

A collaboration between Ameren Missouri and BJC HealthCare has brought solar panels and renewable energy to the midtown area of St. Louis.

This is the first such project put forward under Ameren’s Solar Partnership program. The solar facility was placed on top of the 3,000-space BJC employee parking garage. It began generating 1.8 megawatts of energy earlier this fall, with more than 4,500 solar panels covering an area the size of two football fields. Predictions put the number of kilowatt hours of energy produced per year by this project to reach 2.4 million.

“This innovative program is the first of its kind in St. Louis, and it’s a win for everyone,” said Michael Moehn, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri, said. “Our customers win through more renewable energy on the grid. BJC HealthCare wins by turning uncovered garage space into something productive, and Ameren Missouri wins by expanding our commitment to clean, renewable energy.”

Ameren touts the location as prime real estate for solar generation due to its unobstructed exposure to the sky. For BJC workers on site, it also provides shade for employee vehicles. Under the terms of their agreement, BJC licensed its property to Ameren for the installation of solar generating equipment, but ownership and operation of the facility remain in Ameren’s hands.

”We are pleased to join Ameren Missouri in leading the way in the St. Louis community on this renewable energy program,” Rich Liekweg, BJC HealthCare president and CEO, said. “While BJC is known for innovation in health care, we also seek to partner with others in ways that promise progress for our region. We hope we are just the first of many organizations to join Ameren Missouri’s Solar Partnership program in creating renewable energy across the state.”