Ameren Missouri launches two solar energy canopies, eyes 200 MW facility

Nearly 1,200 solar panels will roll out in north St. Louis and Jefferson County in Missouri, as part of two new solar energy canopies from Ameren Missouri – its first large-scale solar installations in the area.

As the company pushes toward an eventual net-zero carbon emissions future, it also announced in June plans to acquire a 200 megawatt (MW) solar facility in central Missouri from EDF Renewables, in a move that would net its largest solar facility to date. That project won’t likely be operational until 2024.

However, the two new canopies should be operational by the end of 2023, and provide enough power for approximately 55 homes. They are part of Ameren Missouri’s Neighborhood Solar program, which sees it partner with organizations across the state to install and maintain solar arrays in various parking lots, without cost to the organizations using them. One will be located at Ameren Missouri’s North Metro Operating Center, while the other will be based at Ameren Missouri’s Jefferson District Operating Center in House Springs, Missouri.

“These next two sites were chosen for the positive impact they’ll provide for decades to come,” Mark Birk, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri, said. “In addition to producing clean energy, they will also provide jobs and important apprenticeships for underserved communities to learn about the ever-expanding field of clean energy installation.”

Ameren Missouri intends to go net zero with its carbon emissions by 2045. In addition to the increased pivot to renewables, that push has also seen the company invest in new power lines and substations, stronger poles, and a major rollout of smart technology.