MICROGRID SOLAR FIRST IN THE US TO INSTALL RESTAURANT ROOF MADE ENTIRELY OF SOLAR PANELS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Tracy Polansky

The Polansky Group

314.604.1926

tracy@polanskygroup.com

MICROGRID SOLAR FIRST IN THE US TO INSTALL RESTAURANT ROOF MADE ENTIRELY OF SOLAR PANELS

St. Louis, MO (April 23, 2013) - St. Louis based Microgrid Solar is excited to announce its installation of the first restaurant roof in the United States made entirely of solar panels. Joe Edward’s Moonrise Hotel, located in St. Louis’ Delmar Loop, has expanded their rooftop bar in a big way. The roof of the east wing of the hotel has been renovated to offer rooftop dining and private parties, and is being called the “New Moon Room”.

Microgrid Solar has been utilizing the translucent, frameless solar panels, manufactured by Denver-based Lumos, in various solar canopies and awnings. But this is the first time to make the leap to a water-tight roof structure.  “There is a big trend to utilize solar in new and innovative ways, including some stunning looking applications,” said Hunter. 

The project is being completed just in time for Earth Day, and is just the latest in a series of Green commitments by the Hotel, which give credence to its claim as “the greenest hotel in St. Louis”. The New Moon Room is being unveiled at a number of events next week, including the Green Ball, an annual fundraiser for the Missouri Botanical Garden’s EarthWays Center. The space will open to the public on May 8.

The new 25.6 kilowatt solar array is already operational and is expected to produce nearly 33,000 kWh of electricity annually. According to Marc Lopata, President & Principal Engineer at Microgrid Solar, “This is enough energy to power the entire rooftop dining area and bar and probably the top two floors of the hotel.”

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About Microgrid Solar

Microgrid Solar is the leading Midwest solar installer, based in St. Louis, MO, offering turnkey solar services for both commercial and residential clients. The St. Louis Business Journal named Microgrid Solar in the Who’s Who in Energy in 2012 and the Heroes of the Planet award in 2011.

More information at microgrid-solar.com

About the Moonrise Hotel

The Moonrise Hotel is located at 6177 Delmar Boulevard in the Loop neighborhood. Named one of the "10 Great Streets in America', the Loop is home to the St. Louis Walk of Fame, honoring famous sons and daughters of the region and six blocks of dining, shopping and entertainment options. The full-service hotel includes 125 guest rooms, 10 suites and an additional 2,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel is located close to The Pageant, the historic Tivoli movie theater, Pin-Up Bowl and all of the shopping, dining and entertainment options in the Loop neighborhood. For more information, visit MoonriseHotel.com.

More technical details on the solar installation

The canopy is mounted on a custom-designed steel structure, with a glass exterior wall on the east side and operable glass doors on the south side, facing the Delmar Boulevard shopping and entertainment district. The solar modules have been sealed to create a waterproof structure, and the facility will be heated and cooled for year-round comfort. The dining area will be accessible from the 8th floor interior, but guests will also be able to access the rooftop bar, which sports another 4kW solar awning, installed by Microgrid in 2011. Both systems will be connected to a single AC disconnect switch to meet Ameren’s safety requirements.

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