Thomas Voss, CEO and president of Ameren, said: “This initiative reflects our strong interest in pursuing a diverse portfolio of generation options that include renewable resources.We have a long history of incorporating renewable resources into our generation portfolio from the early decades of the twentieth century when we began adding hydroelectric generation. Moving to solar energy at our facilities is a natural for Ameren.
“At these sites, we will be able to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiencies of specific types of solar systems in this region. After the systems become operational, we will begin offering a range of online information about our findings from the project – information that should help customers in their own evaluations of different types of solar systems.”
Engineering firm Burns & McDonnell, with offices in Chesterfield, Missouri, has been chosen to develop a conceptual design for the solar demonstration projects, which would include latest solar system technologies.
This project will be developed in stages, beginning with solar installations either on the roof and/or grounds of two Ameren campuses. Burns & McDonnell has designed and managed renewable energy installations, including development of a demonstration project at its Kansas City, Missouri, corporate headquarters.
The generating capacities for Ameren’s solar installations will range between 25 and 550KW. Project designs would be completed by mid-April next year, with the first-phase installation projects completed by the fall of 2010.
