The Autonomous Energy team recently installed a large solar car park shading system atop an existing multi storey car park at Monash University. The structure provides 180 covered car spaces, with a minimum clearance of 3m.
This solar installation is the largest of many at the University and features smart controls via SCADA to help meet Monash University's goal to operate as a microgrid by 2020 - allowing the university to control when and how they use their energy.
Overall the solar car park shading system will generate approximately 894,120 kWh per year.
Autonomous Energy solution
- The Autonomous Energy solution for Monash features custom fabricated steel car park solar PV system mounting structure - providing weather protection for 180 vehicles.
- The system features 935 x 390W and 941 x 400W Sunpower panels, with 8 x SMA inverters and Clenergy mounting equipment.
- The system is integrated with Monash Universities Building Automation System and SCADA - this included the installation of 8 x new smart meters. Our team also integrated a new main distribution board for the entire car park allowing for future installation of another solar car park and EV chargers. This board also houses 6 of the new meters and a control cabinet with a MainsPro protection relay and other SCADA controls.
- Features data monitoring and visualisation on Sunny portal via the inverter manager
- The structure includes 60 Coloured transparent, polycarbonate panels - each with the same dimensions as a solar panel.
- A dedicated colorbond inverter shed was erected with Daikin air conditioning to house inverters and PVDB.
- In terms of lighting - 76 x legrand LED lights and 25 x legrand emergency lights are integrated with the car park's axiom emergency lighting control system.