Commercial solar
Your car park is an energy asset.
Solar carports turn underused hardstand into generating infrastructure. The energy powers your operations. The shade adds value for staff and customers.
The opportunity
Most car parks do one thing. Yours can do two.
A solar carport is a covered parking structure with solar panels integrated into the roof. It generates electricity the same way a rooftop system does. The roof is purpose-built over hardstand you already own.
For businesses, councils, and sporting clubs with large car parks, it's a straightforward question: the land is already committed, the structure adds amenity, and the energy pays for it over time.
The three reasons organisations choose carports over rooftop solar:
- No roof required. Older buildings, heritage-listed structures, or roofs that can't carry the load are no obstacle. The structure is self-supporting.
- Shade as a deliverable. Staff, customers, and visitors get covered parking. That has measurable value for staff retention, customer experience, and EV charging readiness.
- Scale without compromise. Large car parks can accommodate systems that exceed what the building roof could support, generating more energy from the same site.
What we hear
Common challenges
We don't know if the structure cost stacks up
Solar carport structures cost more than rooftop mounting. The business case depends on system size, energy price, self-consumption rate, and available incentives. We model this before any commitment.
We're not sure what approvals are needed
Carport structures typically require development approval. Requirements vary by council and site. We work through the planning pathway with you as part of the design process.
We have EV charging in mind but don't know how to integrate it
EV charging infrastructure can be designed into the carport from the start: conduit, load capacity, and charging point placement. Retrofitting later costs more. We plan for it upfront if it's on your roadmap.
We need the car park to stay operational during construction
Carport installation can be staged to keep sections of the car park accessible throughout the build. We design the construction sequence around your operational requirements.
How we work
Designed for the site. Built for the long term.
01 ASSESS
Site and load analysis
We assess your car park dimensions, orientation, shading, and energy consumption profile. The design starts with what your site can actually support.
02 DESIGN
Structure and system design
Carport structure, panel layout, inverter configuration, and EV charging provision if required. Every element designed together, not bolted on separately.
03 APPROVE
Planning and approvals
We prepare and manage the development approval documentation for your council. You stay informed at each stage. No chasing paperwork.
04 INSTALL
Staged installation
Construction sequenced to keep your car park operational. Our SAA-accredited installers on site throughout. Commissioning and handover with full system documentation.
What to expect
Typical outcomes
Energy offset during operating hours
Solar generation peaks during the day when car parks are in use. For offices, retail, councils, and sporting venues, this aligns directly with your load, reducing grid draw when it's most expensive.
Covered parking as a permanent amenity
Staff and customer satisfaction from covered parking is measurable. For sporting clubs and councils, it extends usable hours and improves the site experience year-round.
EV charging readiness
Organisations designing carports now are building in EV charging capacity for the next five to ten years of fleet and staff vehicle transition. The infrastructure investment is made once.
System sizing
Indicative system sizes
| Application | Typical car park size | Indicative system size |
|---|---|---|
| Sporting club or council facility | 20–50 bays | 30–80 kW |
| Commercial office or retail | 50–150 bays | 80–250 kW |
| Large commercial or industrial | 150+ bays | 250 kW+ |
System size depends on available hardstand, structural design, grid connection capacity, and energy consumption profile. Contact us for a site-specific assessment.
Indicative payback
Payback period
Payback periods for solar carport systems are typically longer than rooftop solar, reflecting the higher structural cost. The business case improves significantly with high daytime self-consumption, EV charging load, and battery storage. We model the full financial case for your site before any commitment.
Talk to us about your car park.
We'll assess whether a solar carport stacks up for your site: structurally, financially, and operationally. No obligation.