Thunder Bay solar projects

Unused space becomes twenty years of green, renewable energy

Thunder Bay Hydro Electricity Distribution Inc. | Canada | 2012 - 2013

6 rooftopsolar installations
83,000 ft2of otherwise unused roof space
685kWpower generation

Challenges

  • The existing buildings were not designed for solar panel loads.
  • The projects were located on public buildings being used daily.
  • Due to the northern location, panel arrangements needed to be designed to maximize annual power output.
  • The arrangement was carefully designed to factor in winter snow removal.

Solutions

  • The arrangement of panels was carefully analyzed to maximize roof coverage without exceeding the structural design limits of the existing buildings.
  • Strong management and careful planning ensured the site work did not interfere with ongoing building activities.
  • Extensive simulations were carried out to ensure panel arrangements and angles were set to maximize annual output, taking into account roof layout and building location.
  • The mounting system was selected to allow safe and easy snow removal, and the system was arranged to minimize the impact of snow on energy output.

Highlights

  • Projects were completed safely, achieving the Hatch goal of “no harm.”
  • There were no disruptions to daily building operations or public access to buildings.
  • Six installations were completed within the original budget and in accordance with the project schedule.
  • The installations were designed to generate approximately 394 megawatt hours of electricity per year—enough to power thirty-six homes.
  • Thunder Bay Hydro will sell the generated electricity to the Ontario Power Authority under a twenty-year Feed-In Tariff program (FIT) contract. The electricity will be distributed to the provincial grid.

Project numbers

C$3.6 Million
20-year Feed-In-Tariff Program contract

Related services & technologies

Renewable Power

Environmental Services

Energy Optimization

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