Monthly Archives: July 2012

Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Sara Parker Pauley joined with officials on July 3, 2012, in Clayton, Missouri, to place the first solar panel on the city’s police headquarters, located at the landmark Heritage Building.  The panel is part of a 160-kilowatt canopy solar array, partially paid for through an “Energize Missouri Communities” stimulus grant awarded to Brightergy Solar.

This marks the largest installation of solar electricity in the State of Missouri, and Clayton’s biggest commitment to energy sustainability to date.

The solar panels will generate one-third of the building’s energy demand and save more than $14,000 annually.  The reduction in carbon dioxide that will result from this project equates to removing more than 28 cars from Missouri roadways.

This project was made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  DNR’s Division of Energy received $12,568,100 in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding to improve energy efficiency in the public sector, reduce fossil fuel emissions and create jobs.  The funding was then awarded under the “Energize Missouri Communities” program to 64 smaller cities and counties, like the City of Clayton.