Today’s announcement by Ameren is the largest investor-owned solar complex in the state, powering 650 homes in O’Fallon. Slated to start in April and produce power by December, the project also brings as many as 70 new jobs to the St. Louis area.

“Today’s announcement to develop a property exclusively dedicated to offering solar power to consumers is the kind of significant commitment to locally generated renewable energy that MBEF has been urging,” Executive Director Irl Scissors said. “This kind of project will make Missouri even more attractive to the clean energy industry, bringing additional jobs and economic opportunity to the state.”

The Ameren solar park is roughly 19 acres large and is situated near their Belleau substation. The 19,000 solar panel will produce as much as 5.7 megawatts and have enough capacity to power 650 homes. This facility enhances Ameren’s solar programs, which include rebates and incentives for 1,400 solar panel installations and 100 kilowatts in solar technology at its headquarters.

The new solar project adds to Ameren’s growing stable of renewable energy projects. Almost 100 years ago Ameren harnessed hydroelectric power and in 2011 they partnered with Fred Weber to build a local Maryland Heights plant that converts trash into energy.

Scissors said, “And Ameren isn’t the only utility diversifying its portfolio. Additional announcements from Kansas City Power and Light to offer consumers wind energy and the City of Columbia proactively increasing renewable energy standards over 30 years helps to provide clean energy to a majority of consumers throughout the state.  We have an abundance of energy sources right here in Missouri and it is great to see our local utilities recognizing that fact.”

KCP&L announced last week that they intend to provide 124,000 homes increased wind energy capacity by purchasing 400 megawatts from two wind turbines, bringing their full wind-energy capacity to 939 megawatts of power.

The City of Columbia increased its own renewable energy standard requirements for 2018 from 10 to 15 percent, for 2023 from 15 to 25 percent, and included a new 30 percent goal by 2029. This far exceeds state standards, which require 15 percent by 2021.

Other Missouri-based energy projects include an industrial scale solar project by the City Utilities of Springfield as well as biogas and landfill projects that are also helping to diversify Missouri’s energy portfolio.

MBEF announced an agenda in early January where a commitment to Clean and Renewable Energy was a major pillar. In addition to support for renewable energy, MBEF also continues to fully support bringing clean energy solutions, like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to Missouri.

“By diversifying our energy portfolio and improving the infrastructure that delivers our energy, we enhance job creation and economic development opportunities for Missouri,” Scissors said.  “While coal and natural gas will always be part of Missouri’s energy equation, an all-in approach will prepare and protect future generations.”