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TCLP\u2019s Hall Street solar canopy is more than covered parking. It is a working renewable-energy system that generates electricity for the Hall Street facility while giving our community an up-close look at solar and battery technology.<\/p>\n
Visit the Hall Street lobby to see the system\u2019s performance on our monitoring display\u2014or explore the project below.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
78<\/strong> 46.4 kW<\/strong> 3<\/strong> 15 kWh<\/strong> Sunlight reaches 78 solar panels installed above the Hall Street parking area. The panels generate direct-current, or DC, electricity.<\/p>\n Three inverters convert the DC electricity produced by the panels into alternating-current, or AC, electricity that can be used by the Hall Street facility.<\/p>\n The electricity first helps power the Hall Street building. This reduces the amount of electricity the facility needs to draw from the grid while the panels are producing energy.<\/p>\n When the solar canopy produces more electricity than the building needs at that moment, the additional electricity flows onto TCLP\u2019s distribution grid for use nearby.<\/p>\n The 15-kilowatt-hour battery can store electricity for later use. It also demonstrates how battery storage can provide limited backup power and help manage electricity use during higher-demand periods.<\/p>\n The canopy uses bifacial solar panels, which can collect light on both their upper and lower surfaces.<\/p>\n The top of each panel captures direct sunlight, while the underside can use light reflected from the pavement, parked vehicles and even snow. This design allows the panels to take advantage of more of the available light around the installation.<\/p>\n Yes. Solar panels produce the most electricity in strong, direct sunlight, but they can continue generating energy under cloudy and overcast conditions.<\/p>\n During a rainy training session at Hall Street, the system was producing approximately 10 kilowatts of electricity\u2014offering a real-world demonstration that solar generation does not stop when the sun is hidden by clouds.<\/p>\n Actual production varies based on sunlight, weather, season, panel conditions and other operating factors.<\/em><\/p>\n The Hall Street installation includes a 15-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery system. It demonstrates several ways energy storage can work alongside solar generation and the electric grid:<\/p>\n Storing electricity for use at another time<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Providing limited backup power during an outage<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Reducing electricity use during periods of higher demand<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Helping manage when a building draws electricity from the grid<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Battery backup is not the same as a whole-building generator. The amount of time a battery can support a facility depends on its available charge and the amount of electricity being used.<\/p>\n See how the Hall Street system is performing, including:<\/p>\n Current solar output<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Energy generated today<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Monthly production<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Lifetime production<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Estimated environmental benefits<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Date and time of the latest update<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Production varies throughout the day and by season. Dashboard measurements and environmental equivalents are estimates provided by the monitoring system.<\/em><\/p>\n Want to see the system\u2019s production in real time? Visit the Hall Street lobby and explore the monitoring display.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The Hall Street solar canopy was designed to help customers see renewable-energy technology operating in a real-world setting.<\/p>\n Visitors can:<\/p>\n See what a commercial solar installation looks like<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Learn how solar panels, inverters and battery storage work together<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Follow the flow of electricity from the panels to the building and grid<\/p>\n<\/li>\n View current and historical production data<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Consider how similar technology might work for a home or business<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The Hall Street system is a commercial installation, but many of the same basic components and principles apply to residential solar and battery systems.<\/p>\n Every property is different. The appropriate system size depends on electricity use, available space, site conditions, energy goals and budget.<\/p>\n If you are considering solar or battery storage, improving your property\u2019s energy efficiency can be an important first step.<\/p>\n Using less energy may reduce the number of panels or amount of battery storage needed to meet your goals. Improvements such as insulation, air sealing, efficient heating and cooling equipment, and LED lighting can help lower energy use before a renewable-energy system is designed.<\/p>\n Address: 130 Hall Street,\u00a0Traverse City, MI 49684<\/a> Stop inside to view the live solar-production display and learn more about the system.<\/p>\n The experience is self-guided, so you can explore the information at your own pace in the Hall Street lobby.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n The system generates electricity for the Hall Street facility while serving as a public demonstration of solar generation and battery storage. It gives customers an opportunity to see the technology and learn how it works in connection with a building and the electric grid.<\/p>\n The 78-panel array has a rated capacity of 46.4 kilowatts DC. Actual production changes throughout the day and year based on sunlight, weather, season and system conditions.<\/p>\n When the system produces more electricity than the Hall Street facility needs at that moment, the excess electricity flows onto TCLP\u2019s distribution grid for use nearby.<\/p>\n Bifacial panels can collect light from both sides. The upper surface captures direct sunlight, while the underside captures light reflected from surrounding surfaces such as pavement, vehicles and snow.<\/p>\n Snow covering the upper surface can temporarily reduce production. However, snow on the ground may reflect additional light toward the underside of the bifacial panels. Actual performance depends on coverage, sunlight and weather conditions.<\/p>\n The battery provides limited backup capability rather than guaranteed whole-building power. The equipment it can support\u2014and for how long\u2014depends on the battery\u2019s charge and the building\u2019s electricity use at the time.<\/p>\n Solar panels generally require relatively little routine maintenance. Dirt, pollen, smoke residue and other material can reduce production slightly, although rainfall may provide adequate cleaning in many conditions.<\/p>\n The solar panels have a 25-year warranty and are warranted to retain approximately 80% of their original output in year 25. The inverters and battery have 15-year warranties. Equipment may continue operating beyond its warranty period, although output and storage capacity can gradually decline.<\/p>\n A reliable estimate requires an evaluation of your electricity use, property, available space and project goals. TCLP cannot provide a universal cost estimate based on the Hall Street installation.<\/p>\n The Hall Street installation is larger than a typical residential system, but the basic process is similar. Solar panels generate electricity, inverters convert it for use in the building, and an optional battery can store energy for later.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Clean Energy See Solar in Action at Hall Street Explore how solar energy, battery storage and the electric grid work together\u2014right here in Traverse City. TCLP\u2019s Hall Street solar canopy is more than covered parking. It is a working renewable-energy system that generates electricity for the Hall Street facility while giving our community an up-close […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"class_list":["post-8605","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tclp.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8605","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tclp.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tclp.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tclp.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/40"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tclp.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8605"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.tclp.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8605\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8630,"href":"https:\/\/www.tclp.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8605\/revisions\/8630"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tclp.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8605"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Bifacial solar panels<\/p>\n
Total DC generating capacity<\/p>\n
Inverters converting solar energy into usable electricity<\/p>\n
Battery-storage capacity<\/p>\n
\nHow the System Works<\/h2>\n
1. The panels collect solar energy<\/h3>\n
2. The inverters convert the electricity<\/h3>\n
3. The building uses the solar energy<\/h3>\n
4. Excess electricity enters the grid<\/h3>\n
5. The battery stores energy<\/h3>\n
\nSolar Energy From Both Sides<\/h2>\n
\nDoes Solar Work on Cloudy Days?<\/h2>\n
\nWhat Does the Battery Do?<\/h2>\n
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\nSee What the System Is Producing<\/h2>\n
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See the Live Dashboard at Hall Street<\/h3>\n
\nA Community Learning Tool<\/h2>\n
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\nEnergy Efficiency Comes First<\/h2>\n
\nPlan Your Visit<\/h2>\n
TCLP Hall Street Facility<\/h3>\n
Phone |\u00a0<\/span>231-922-4940<\/a>
Email |\u00a0<\/span>customerservice@tclp.org<\/a>
Hours | Monday – Friday\u00a0 \u00a0 8am – 4:30pm<\/span><\/p>\n
\nFrequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
Why did TCLP install the solar canopy?<\/h3>\n
How much electricity can the system produce?<\/h3>\n
What happens to electricity the building does not use?<\/h3>\n
Why are these panels called bifacial?<\/h3>\n
Will snow stop the system from producing electricity?<\/h3>\n
Does the battery power the entire building during an outage?<\/h3>\n
Does the system require much maintenance?<\/h3>\n
How long will the equipment last?<\/h3>\n
Can TCLP tell me how much a solar system would cost for my property?<\/h3>\n
Is this the same type of system I would install at home?<\/h3>\n
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