Retrofit a multi-floor carpark in Matraville, Sydney , with a 130 kW solar carport

S-Rack Australia , a solar racking systems company, has partnered with Energy Aware , a commercial clean energy solutions provider, to retrofit a multi-floor carpark in Matraville, Sydney , with a 130 kW solar carport . The project, located at a DHL logistics hub , features a 42-space rooftop carport equipped with 267 solar modules (500 W Trina Solar panels) and Sungrow inverters (110 kW SG11CX and 30 kW SG30CX). The system is expected to generate 200,000 kWh of renewable energy annually starting in 2025. Despite challenges such as working on an operational and elevated carpark, heavy machinery logistics, and ensuring structural integrity, the project was completed in two weeks . Careful planning, collaboration with the building’s original engineer, and streamlined council approvals ensured minimal disruption during construction.

Project Details:

1. Location:

   • Matraville, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

2. Partners:

   • S-Rack Australia : Solar racking systems provider.

   • Energy Aware : Commercial clean energy solutions provider.

3. Client:

   • DHL Logistics Hub : Eastern Sydney facility.

4. System Capacity:

   • 130 kW (DC)

5. Solar Modules:

   • 267 Trina Solar panels (500 W each).

6. Inverters:

   • Sungrow SG11CX (110 kW)

   • Sungrow SG30CX (30 kW)

7. Annual Energy Output:

   • 200,000 kWh (expected in 2025).

8. Carport Size:

   • 42-car space rooftop solar carport .

Key Challenges and Solutions:

1. Operational Multi-Floor Carpark:

   • Heavy machinery, including a crane, required careful logistics.

2. Structural Integrity:

   • Collaboration with the building’s original engineer ensured the carport design did not compromise the carpark’s structural stability.

3. Council Approvals:

   • Streamlined through detailed and meticulous drawings.

4. Traffic Management:

   • Essential to minimize disruptions to the public during construction.

5. Construction Timeline:

   • Completed in two weeks once on-site.

Key Features and Benefits:

1. Renewable Energy Generation:

   • The system will generate 200,000 kWh annually , supporting DHL’s operations with clean energy.

2. Seamless Collaboration:

   • S-Rack and Energy Aware worked closely to ensure the project was delivered on time and within budget.

3. Minimal Disruption:

   • Traffic management and careful planning ensured smooth operations during construction.

4. Sustainability Goals:

   • Supports DHL’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to renewable energy.

Quotes from Key Stakeholders:

1. Liam Turner, General Manager, S-Rack Australia:

   • “Energy Aware ensured seamless operations allowing our team to deliver this project on time and on budget.”

2. Nick Burrows, Managing Director, Energy Aware:

   • “S-Rack jumped in and worked with our team seamlessly through this process. This resulted in them executing the installation aspect of this project according to plans.”

Applications:

1. Commercial Renewable Energy:

   • Provides clean energy for logistics hubs and reduces reliance on grid electricity.

2. Urban Sustainability:

   • Maximizes underutilized rooftop spaces in urban environments for renewable energy generation.

3. Electric Vehicle Charging Potential:

   • Future-proofing for EV charging infrastructure integration.