U.S. utility Ameren Missouri continues to expand its community solar program with plans to build a new solar power plant in New Florence. The new facility will join the Montgomery Community Solar Center, already in place an hour west of St. Louis. Louis. Demand for this renewable energy, expressed by over 4,700 customers across the state, has prompted Ameren Missouri to strengthen its solar infrastructure offering.
An expanding program
New Florence’s new community solar center, with a planned capacity of 7 megawatts (MW), is awaiting approval from the Missouri Public Service Commission. If approval is granted, construction could start as early as next spring, with commissioning scheduled for 2026. This project will mark Ameren Missouri’s third community solar installation since the program’s inception, following the St. Louis centers. Louis Lambert International Airport and Montgomery. Community solar energy is booming in the United States, as evidenced by a similar project in New York.
Commitment to renewable energies
Ameren Missouri aims to add 2,800 MW of new renewable generation capacity by 2030. This latest announcement is part of an ambitious plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, in line with the Paris Agreement objectives of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The New Florence project, already over 80% subscribed, allows customers to choose up to 100% of their energy consumption from these dedicated solar installations.
Environmental objectives
Ameren Missouri’s efforts are not limited to expanding solar capacity. The company is committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 60% by 2030 and 85% by 2040 compared to 2005 levels. These targets include not only direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) emissions, but also other greenhouse gases such as methane, nitrous oxide and sulfur hexafluoride.
Customer participation
Ameren Missouri customers can sign up for the Community Solar program by accessing their account online or by contacting customer service. The continued expansion of this program reflects consumers’ growing commitment to sustainable energy solutions and reducing their carbon footprint without the constraints of home solar panel installation and maintenance.
Ameren Missouri’s solar projects underscore the growing importance of renewable energy in the state’s energy strategy, and the crucial role that utilities play in the transition to a greener economy.
This initiative also illustrates how companies can meet their customers’ needs while contributing to global environmental objectives. By increasing the share of renewable energies in its energy mix, Ameren Missouri is positioning itself as a key player in the U.S. energy transition.
