Clyde Campbell Solar Carpark

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This project is now complete.

Lismore City Council recently accepted a tender for the design and construction of a $650,000 ‘Solar Carpark’ in the Council-owned Clyde Campbell carpark. The infrastructure includes the installation an architectural ‘butterfly-shaped’ awning, clad with photo-voltaic solar panels and covering 40 carparks. It also includes the installation of two Electric Vehicle (EV) fast chargers, with the potential for additional EV chargers to be installed in the future.

The sustainable design and shape of the roof is inspired by the native Richmond Birdwing Butterfly. The Birdwing Butterfly vine – the butterfly’s food source – will grow on the shade structure from hanging planter boxes.

How is this project being funded?

The Solar Carpark is 100% funded by a Federal Government Grant. Council received $1 million under the ‘Drought Communities Program’ in 2021 and has dedicated $650,000 of that funding to this Project. The program has supported 52 NSW councils to complete infrastructure and other drought-relief projects.

What will the benefit be?

The key purpose of this infrastructure, and the alignment with the ‘Drought Communities’ grant, is to demonstrate leadership in addressing the climate related causes of drought and other natural disasters through sustainable technologies. The solar carpark will harness renewable energy to provide charging stations for EV users and much needed shade for CBD users and their vehicles. Excess solar energy will be fed back into the electricity grid.

What about future flooding events?

The potential for flooding at the site was a major consideration of the design. All electronic/electrical components are positioned above the 1% AEP flood level of 12.45 AHD (the level specific to this location) or are removable (the EV charger). The solar roof of the structure includes an extra 500mm of ‘freeboard’ so the lowest solar panels sit at approx. 12.95 AHD. Furthermore, the structure itself has been engineered to withstand these flood depths and velocities, including an allowance for debris build up.

How will parking be affected?

Carparking will be maintained, with the structure installed over the existing configuration. Two of the 40 car parking spaces will be reserved for electric vehicles only.

To ensure safety and efficiency during construction, parking in the area shown in the attached map will be temporarily disrupted (fenced off). The project team will work in with local business as best as possible to ensure deliveries, bin pick ups etc. can continue whilst the temporary changes are in place.


Lismore City Council recently accepted a tender for the design and construction of a $650,000 ‘Solar Carpark’ in the Council-owned Clyde Campbell carpark. The infrastructure includes the installation an architectural ‘butterfly-shaped’ awning, clad with photo-voltaic solar panels and covering 40 carparks. It also includes the installation of two Electric Vehicle (EV) fast chargers, with the potential for additional EV chargers to be installed in the future.

The sustainable design and shape of the roof is inspired by the native Richmond Birdwing Butterfly. The Birdwing Butterfly vine – the butterfly’s food source – will grow on the shade structure from hanging planter boxes.

How is this project being funded?

The Solar Carpark is 100% funded by a Federal Government Grant. Council received $1 million under the ‘Drought Communities Program’ in 2021 and has dedicated $650,000 of that funding to this Project. The program has supported 52 NSW councils to complete infrastructure and other drought-relief projects.

What will the benefit be?

The key purpose of this infrastructure, and the alignment with the ‘Drought Communities’ grant, is to demonstrate leadership in addressing the climate related causes of drought and other natural disasters through sustainable technologies. The solar carpark will harness renewable energy to provide charging stations for EV users and much needed shade for CBD users and their vehicles. Excess solar energy will be fed back into the electricity grid.

What about future flooding events?

The potential for flooding at the site was a major consideration of the design. All electronic/electrical components are positioned above the 1% AEP flood level of 12.45 AHD (the level specific to this location) or are removable (the EV charger). The solar roof of the structure includes an extra 500mm of ‘freeboard’ so the lowest solar panels sit at approx. 12.95 AHD. Furthermore, the structure itself has been engineered to withstand these flood depths and velocities, including an allowance for debris build up.

How will parking be affected?

Carparking will be maintained, with the structure installed over the existing configuration. Two of the 40 car parking spaces will be reserved for electric vehicles only.

To ensure safety and efficiency during construction, parking in the area shown in the attached map will be temporarily disrupted (fenced off). The project team will work in with local business as best as possible to ensure deliveries, bin pick ups etc. can continue whilst the temporary changes are in place.


This project is now complete.

  • Share Why are halve of the panels facing south. They will lose most of their generated power this way on Facebook Share Why are halve of the panels facing south. They will lose most of their generated power this way on Twitter Share Why are halve of the panels facing south. They will lose most of their generated power this way on Linkedin Email Why are halve of the panels facing south. They will lose most of their generated power this way link

    Why are halve of the panels facing south. They will lose most of their generated power this way

    Peter rusanow asked over 1 year ago

    Hi Peter,

    Thanks for the question. 

    Clyde Campbell Carpark was selected as the most suitable location to construct the Solar Carpark due to proximity to the CBD, and benefits to support future EV use in our community.

    The layout of Clyde Campbell car park is east to west, with the solar roof structure erected over existing parking configuration. To enable the roof height required (as part of the engineered design to withstand flood events), half of the roof does not point directly north. These solar panels will still operate effectively, with benefits of the structure being erected this way outweighing any slightly reduced efficiency.

    Thanks,

    Michael - Project Delivery Manager

  • Share Is this project continuing despite the floods? Surely not? on Facebook Share Is this project continuing despite the floods? Surely not? on Twitter Share Is this project continuing despite the floods? Surely not? on Linkedin Email Is this project continuing despite the floods? Surely not? link

    Is this project continuing despite the floods? Surely not?

    Lynn asked almost 2 years ago

    Hi Lynn,

    The potential for flooding at the site was a major consideration of the design. All electronic/electrical components are positioned above the 1% AEP flood level of 12.45 AHD (the level specific to this location) or are removable (the EV charger). The solar roof of the structure includes an extra 500mm of ‘freeboard’ so the lowest solar panels sit at approx. 12.95 AHD. Furthermore, the structure itself has been engineered to withstand these flood depths and velocities, including an allowance for debris build up. 

    Thanks,

    Rebecca

  • Share So the obvious question is - when the next flood occurs what happens then? This is high amperage equipment, what safety measure will be introduced? It's great to see (we own an EV) but we are concerned that his carpark may not be the best spot for the chargers & panels. on Facebook Share So the obvious question is - when the next flood occurs what happens then? This is high amperage equipment, what safety measure will be introduced? It's great to see (we own an EV) but we are concerned that his carpark may not be the best spot for the chargers & panels. on Twitter Share So the obvious question is - when the next flood occurs what happens then? This is high amperage equipment, what safety measure will be introduced? It's great to see (we own an EV) but we are concerned that his carpark may not be the best spot for the chargers & panels. on Linkedin Email So the obvious question is - when the next flood occurs what happens then? This is high amperage equipment, what safety measure will be introduced? It's great to see (we own an EV) but we are concerned that his carpark may not be the best spot for the chargers & panels. link

    So the obvious question is - when the next flood occurs what happens then? This is high amperage equipment, what safety measure will be introduced? It's great to see (we own an EV) but we are concerned that his carpark may not be the best spot for the chargers & panels.

    Jim edwards asked almost 2 years ago

    Hi Jim,

    The potential for flooding at the site was a major consideration of the design. All electronic/electrical components are positioned above the 1% AEP flood level of 12.45 AHD (the level specific to this location) or are removable (the EV charger). The solar roof of the structure includes an extra 500mm of ‘freeboard’ so the lowest solar panels sit at approx. 12.95 AHD. Furthermore, the structure itself has been engineered to withstand these flood depths and velocities, including an allowance for debris build up.

    Thanks,

    Aaron

  • Share Can you charge 24hrs a day? Is the solar array and charging station connected to the normal power grid? Who is going to set the cost per kWhr for charging? What will be the initial cost per kWhr for charging? on Facebook Share Can you charge 24hrs a day? Is the solar array and charging station connected to the normal power grid? Who is going to set the cost per kWhr for charging? What will be the initial cost per kWhr for charging? on Twitter Share Can you charge 24hrs a day? Is the solar array and charging station connected to the normal power grid? Who is going to set the cost per kWhr for charging? What will be the initial cost per kWhr for charging? on Linkedin Email Can you charge 24hrs a day? Is the solar array and charging station connected to the normal power grid? Who is going to set the cost per kWhr for charging? What will be the initial cost per kWhr for charging? link

    Can you charge 24hrs a day? Is the solar array and charging station connected to the normal power grid? Who is going to set the cost per kWhr for charging? What will be the initial cost per kWhr for charging?

    Markp asked over 2 years ago

    Yes, you can charge 24 hours a day. Council hasn’t yet finalised the cost structure for charging.

  • Share Where can we find the specifications for solar car park? on Facebook Share Where can we find the specifications for solar car park? on Twitter Share Where can we find the specifications for solar car park? on Linkedin Email Where can we find the specifications for solar car park? link

    Where can we find the specifications for solar car park?

    Markp asked over 2 years ago

    Hi Mark, thanks for your question. Specifications as follows:

    • Architectural structure with steel hanging planters and associated landscaping;
    • Concrete rain water tank to service landscaping:
    • 224 x 445W bifacial PV panels (99.7kW system) with 12-year product and 30-year performance warranty;
    • 1 x 75kW fast EV charging station capable of charging 2x cars at once - with data visualisation and payment management (conduits with pull ropes to vacant columns for potential future expansion);
    • 14 x LED batten lights; and
    • 12 months servicing & maintenance.
  • Share ? Which car park is the Clyde Campbell car park ? on Facebook Share ? Which car park is the Clyde Campbell car park ? on Twitter Share ? Which car park is the Clyde Campbell car park ? on Linkedin Email ? Which car park is the Clyde Campbell car park ? link

    ? Which car park is the Clyde Campbell car park ?

    Ian Purdue asked over 2 years ago

    Clyde Campbell Carpark is the one commonly known as Browns Creek Carpark