TRAVERSE CITY – Traverse City Light and Power is moving forward with a solar canopy and battery storage project at its Hall Street facility. The system is being built over a parking area to demonstrate how renewable technology can be integrated into everyday local spaces.
The project aligns with TCLP’s goal to reach 100% renewable energy by 2040. Although the installation is small, organizational leaders said the primary objective is to change how energy is stored and used within the community.
Jacob Hardy, sustainability and key accounts manager for Traverse City Light and Power, said the project is intended to promote the adoption of similar technology throughout the region. “TCLP has a goal of 100% renewable by 2040,” Hardy said. “This project itself is fairly small in size, but the purpose of it is to be able to promote solar and battery storage throughout the community.”
Beyond the technical installation, the project focuses on public education and training. Utility leaders said the site will allow residents to see how these systems function in a real-life setting. Hardy emphasized that the impact of the facility extends beyond power generation. “The real impact of the project is from the education and the training piece of it,” Hardy said. “Being able to come and actually see the solar and battery system, that is, actually being used and producing energy.”
The system works by capturing energy through solar panels and storing it in a battery for later use. This allows the utility to utilize stored power during times when energy costs are highest, a process known as peak shaving. Hardy explained that this method helps reduce the need to purchase expensive power from the grid during peak hours. “Solar and battery together, the solar will take the energy to charge up the battery,” Hardy said. “One thing that we really like to talk to people about is how to use batteries to do peak shaving. What that means is the most expensive time of day for power is when you would utilize that battery, instead of having to pay the utility for that energy that you’re using.”
The project is fully funded internally by TCLP. Leaders said they hope the demonstration helps residents and business owners explore how solar and battery systems might work for their own properties. The project is expected to be completed later this year.
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