1300 419 559 
Solar Car Shade PV System for Airport
Project Challenges
As part of Orange City Council’s commitment to modern, resilient infrastructure, the airport embarked on a $2 million upgrade project designed to accommodate a projected increase in visitor numbers and enhance the overall passenger experience. A key objective of this comprehensive upgrade was to simultaneously address the airport’s growing operational energy demands and align with the Council’s long-term sustainability and net-zero goals. The Council sought a renewable energy solution that would not only offset increasing electricity consumption but also integrate seamlessly into the public car park, providing tangible benefits to passengers and reducing long-term exposure to volatile wholesale energy prices.Our Solution
Next Green Group designed, engineered, and installed a custom-built solar carport photovoltaic (PV) system, alongside two additional supporting car shade structures, across the primary parking areas of the Orange Regional Airport facility.
This solution was meticulously designed to maximise energy generation efficiency while enhancing the utility of the parking space. Our deployment included:
- A robust solar PV system sized to meet the airport’s operational daytime energy needs, immediately lowering the Council’s reliance on grid electricity.
- Custom carport awnings fabricated using high-quality, Australian-made galvanised steel mounting rails, ensuring maximum durability and structural integrity necessary for regional Australian weather conditions. A critical feature is the integrated water management system, designed to prevent water, snow, or ice run-off from the shade structure, thereby enhancing pedestrian and vehicle safety below.
- The entire carport and electrical infrastructure were strategically engineered to allow for seamless expansion of the solar PV system in the future. This future-proofing provides the Council with the flexibility to scale up renewable capacity by adding more panels or integrating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) as both airport activity and local energy demands evolve.
The installation of the custom solar car shades at Orange Regional Airport establishes a tangible model for sustainable infrastructure within the NSW Central West region. Through this strategic investment, Orange City Council is not only meeting its immediate operational needs but is also building energy resilience into its core assets, ensuring a stable, sustainable, and cost-effective energy future for the Orange community. We are proud to partner with local government in delivering innovative, Australian-made solutions that drive both financial savings and environmental leadership.
Project Gallery
