Thunder Bay Hydro Unveils City’s First Power.House System
February 15, 2017
In partnership with Powerstream Inc. (now Alectra Utilities), Thunder Bay Hydro has unveiled the city’s first installation of a Power.House system, a solar power generator that is controlled using a software management system.
Commissioned by local contractors, the system consists of rooftop solar panels, a bank of high-capacity, utility-grade batteries to store the power and a master control unit that work together to collect solar energy during the day and convert it into electricity.
On sunny days, electricity is sent to the battery backup, used in the home or forwarded to the electricity grid for credit. The software management system determines the routing depending on what is best for the homeowner at that time.
The first home to take part in the program was selected based on grid location, roof orientation and size, willingness of participants, and satisfaction of home assessment criteria. The system is expected to generate 6000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, resulting in a significant reduction of electricity required from the grid.
Photo source: PowerStream Inc.
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