Grid-connected
Thunder Battery · On-grid solar
Solar power.
Connected to the grid.
Generate electricity for your home or business while staying connected to your utility. Use solar energy during the day, export eligible surplus, and draw from the grid when you need more power.
Generate on-site
Put sunlight to work powering your property.
Offset electricity use
Reduce the energy you purchase from the grid.
Plan for storage
Choose compatible battery equipment if backup is a priority.
How grid-connected solar works
A simple energy pathway, with your utility connection supporting the balance.
- Capture sunlight. Solar panels produce direct current (DC) electricity.
- Convert the power. A grid-connected inverter converts DC into alternating current (AC) for your building.
- Use what you generate. Solar production helps supply appliances and equipment operating during the day.
- Export eligible surplus. Excess energy can flow to the grid where an approved utility program permits it and may earn energy credits.
- Draw from the grid. Your utility supplies power at night or whenever demand exceeds solar production.
Energy credits & electricity costs
Using your own solar electricity can reduce grid electricity purchases. Depending on your location and utility, eligible exports may also earn credits through a net-metering or export-credit program.
Know before you plan: Program availability, connection approval, credit values, and billing rules vary by utility. Savings depend on sunlight, system size, electricity consumption, and rates. Fixed charges may still apply, and solar does not necessarily eliminate your bill.
Solar with or without batteries
Grid-connected solar
Generate electricity without on-site battery storage. Use solar production as it is generated, export eligible excess, and draw from the utility when needed.
Battery storage is optional. Utility credits are a billing arrangement, not energy physically stored for your property.
Solar + battery storage
Store energy on-site with a compatible system. A suitable hybrid inverter, controls, and properly configured backup installation can power selected essential loads during an outage.
Backup requires a complete system design. Battery capacity and supported loads must match your needs.
Outage protection is not automatic. Standard grid-tied solar shuts down during a utility outage for safety. Panels alone do not provide backup power. Backup equipment must be designed to isolate from the grid and operate during an outage.
What goes into your system?
- Solar panels
- Capture sunlight and generate electricity.
- Grid-connected inverter
- Convert solar energy into usable AC power and synchronize with the utility grid.
- Mounting rails & hardware
- Secure panels to a suitable roof or ground-mounted structure.
- Electrical protection & monitoring
- Provide the disconnects, protective equipment, and monitoring appropriate to the installation and local requirements.
- Optional hybrid inverter & battery storage
- Store energy and support selected backup loads when the complete system is designed for it.
Installation requirements
Before starting an Ontario installation, confirm the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) notification and inspection requirements for your project and arrange the required notifications and inspections.
Check with your municipality and obtain any applicable building or other municipal permits before work begins.
When hiring someone to perform electrical work, use a Licensed Electrical Contractor. Confirm project-specific requirements with ESA, your municipality, and your utility provider before proceeding.
Plan your solar project
Start with your energy needs.
Gather your electricity consumption, available installation space, and utility connection requirements. Decide whether you want solar generation alone or a system designed for backup power.
Contact Thunder Battery to discuss solar panels, inverters, mounting equipment, and battery storage options for your grid-connected solar project.