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".

"The most spectacular feature of the new facility is the solar canopy roof. Unlike traditional solar modules, the glass panels that form the roof are frameless, translucent modules that take the place of a traditional roof, and which allow sunlight - and moonlight - to peek through" says Rick Hunter, Founder and CEO of Microgrid Solar.

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 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 and 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."