The City of Sunset Hills and Ameren Missouri teamed up on Oct. 1 to host an event, educating and inviting residents to learn more about Ameren’s Community Solar Program.

Teresa Hava, an Ameren renewable energy program advisor who joined the team in May 2025, explained Ameren’s solar program and how residents are able to sign up. In her role, Hava works with renewable energy programs such as this one, aiming to bring cleaner, more sustainable solutions to the state.

With the Community Solar Program, Sunset Hills residents can select a percentage of their monthly electricity usage to be replaced with solar energy — offering residents a chance to “go greener” without installing solar panels in their homes. The solar energy generated also feeds Ameren’s electric grid and helps Ameren build and maintain solar facilities.

Previously, residents would have been able to select up to 50% of their electricity to rely on solar energy, but since 2022, Ameren allows residents to choose any number from 1% to 100% to designate as solar-powered. The percentage can be changed at any time.

For the portion of the electricity bill that is designated as solar, residents pay the “Community Solar Rate,” which is typically 2 to 5 cents more per kilowatt-hour than the standard residential rate.

Not only homeowners are allowed to participate in the program, but renters and small business owners are also eligible to take part.

Residents who want to join the Community Solar Program must subscribe and pay a fee to join, though Ameren is currently waiving that fee as of The Call’s press time. To learn more, visit the site amerenmissouri.com/communitysolar.