Conveniently located in Bridgeton near De Paul Hospital, Bridgeton Executive Suites (BES) has been in business for 22 years. BES tenants include medical, dental and small business professionals. The facility has always been managed onsite and the owners are known for their close relationships with the tenants. 

A recent discussion with one of the tenants regarding gasoline, future energy supplies and utilities triggered the search into clean energy possibilities for BES.  After significant research on solar, geothermal, and wind alternatives for future long term solutions, a decision was made to install solar panels on the roof of the building.

The 50-kilowatt solar panel system will provide an estimated 66,500 kilowatt-hours of clean energy production per year – about 44% of the buildings total energy use.  The use of solar energy versus traditional fossil fuels will reduce carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) emissions by 1,262 tons over 25 years -- the equivalent of cars driving 3,212,500 miles or 162.5 acres of trees planted.

“This is not the first time discussions with a tenant have created further thought or study on a subject at BES” said Tom Sanders, Owner.  “Right now there are two vacancies at BES: one for a doctor and another for a dentist. Some of the BES tenants are hopeful that the solar panels might attract other like-minded professionals with an interest in environmental concerns.  Management thinks the location and office layout are more significant in a potential tenants decision process, but we certainly will be listening to see if the addition of solar panels creates any interest. Regardless, it will be most interesting to track the energy produced by the solar panels over the next year and then the next 20 years.”

The solar systems were designed and installed by Brightergy Solar, a Webster Groves-based solar solutions company.  For more information, see brightergy.com.