Microgrid Solar installed a 25 kilowatt solar array on the roof of the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park, as a part of an innovative program offered by Microgrid, in partnership with US Bank, that is designed to make it easy for nonprofit orgaations to install solar.
The program, called the St. Louis Nonprofit Solar Leasing Program, enables St. Louis area nonprofit organizations to enter into a solar lease agreement that eliminates the upfront cost and produces immediate cost savings on electricity. This solar installation is part of an ongoing sustainability push by the Missouri History Museum.
"The Missouri History Museum is committed to being a good steward of the environment. Museum staff actively seeks opportunities to incorporate best green business practices into museum operations," said Dr. Frances Levine, president of the Missouri History Museum. "The solar array is latest of many innovations we have adopted."
The system is projected to produce over 32 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity each year, which is enough to power approximately three homes.
The 25 kW solar array consists of 100 solar modules on the roof of the museum. The panels are installed on a ballasted racking system, so there are no holes in the roof to invite leaks. The DC electricity is fed into two inverters in a mechanical room, where it is converted to AC to feed into the building’s electrical distribution system. Said Steve O’Rourke, Vice President of Consulting Services at Microgrid, "we are thrilled to be able to help the History Museum cut its operating costs and carbon footprint. Seeing the latest technology on this historic building makes this even more meaningful."