Last month, OakStar Bank celebrated the installation of the first commercial all-in-one solar system in North America, SmartFlower, with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The SmartFlower mounts on the ground and tracks the sun as it progresses across the horizon. Every morning, the solar panel appears to grow out of the ground into a flower shape, spends the day generating clean affordable energy, and then folds itself back up at night to clean itself in the ground.  

Local solar installer company, Sun Solar, brought this unique system to the bank while installing rooftop solar panels on other properties totaling 340 kW of power generation or enough power for over 20 typical U.S. homes. This combined solar project is expected to save the company an estimated $1.5 million over the next 25 years.

 “We are excited to partner with Sun Solar in the commercial application of this environmentally friendly energy technology,” said President and CEO of OakStar Banks Randy Johnson. “We hope other businesses in Springfield, and across the nation, will join us in this cutting edge, clean energy initiative. At OakStar we continually focus on progress that is beneficial to our organization and beneficial to our communities. This solar project was a perfect fit for that focus.”

Following the cutting of the ribbon on this one-of-a-kind project, Sun Solar honored the U.S. military veterans who have helped the solar industry grow in Missouri with an award ceremony.

 “SmartFlower North America is honored to be in Missouri today to both recognize and celebrate the first commercial installation of the exciting new technology that is the SmartFlower," said Director of Sales for SmartFlower on the East Coast Von Schafer.

Solar jobs growth in Missouri has risen over 28 percent in the last year according to the solar jobs census conducted by the nonprofit The Solar Foundation.

To learn more about Renewable Energy or Energy Efficiency Loan Program, please visit https://energy.mo.gov/energy/home or contact the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Division of Energy at 573-751-2254 or toll-free at 855-522-2796.