Project Overview
The Wests Illawarra Leagues Club Solar Car Park project transformed the club’s main vehicle parking area into a modern, renewable energy asset while dramatically improving shade and weather protection for members, guests and staff.
Delivered as part of a broader initiative to enhance member amenities and operational sustainability, the installation brings together innovative modular solar canopy design with renewable energy generation, turning an underutilised asset into a productive space. The result is a car park that offers all-weather comfort and shade for vehicles, reduces energy costs through onsite solar generation, and supports the club’s sustainability objectives.
This project aligns with the principles outlined in Canyon Solar’s solar car parks for RSL and leagues clubs, where modular, prefabricated solar canopies deliver value without disrupting club operations or compromising parking availability.
Project Background
Like many RSL and community clubs across Australia, Wests Illawarra faced the dual challenge of rising energy costs and an uncovered car park that offered little protection to members’ vehicles. Open parking exposed members to heat, rain and sun, detracting from the overall club experience.
At the same time, the club sought to reduce its energy costs and carbon footprint. Traditional rooftop solar was already maximised at the facility, leaving limited opportunity to expand generation capacity. The car park, however, represented a large open area with excellent solar exposure.
Solar car parks for clubs like Wests Illawarra have emerged as effective solutions because they:
- Utilise space that is otherwise unproductive
- Provide shade and weather protection for members and visitors
- Generate renewable energy that offsets day-time loads
- Can be delivered quickly with minimal disruption
This project was scoped to achieve these goals while maintaining full access to the car park throughout installation — a key consideration for a venue with active daily trading.
Scope of Work
The project involved the design, manufacture, delivery and installation of a modular solar canopy system over a significant portion of the Wests Illawarra Leagues Club car park.
The works included:
- Detailed engineering and canopy design
- Offsite prefabrication of modular solar canopy pods
- Site preparation and civil works for footings and foundations
- Crane-assisted installation of prefabricated pods
- Integration of solar photovoltaic modules
- Electrical reticulation, commissioning and testing
The final design delivered shade and generation capacity for a large number of parking spaces, with careful alignment to club operational needs and traffic flow requirements.
Project Scope
MODULAR DESIGN AND ENGINEERING
A major feature of the Wests Illawarra project was its use of Canyon Solar’s modular, factory-first construction methodology.
Rather than building structures onsite, the majority of the canopy was prefabricated in a controlled environment and delivered as self-contained pods ready for installation.
This approach delivered multiple benefits:
- Offsite fabrication reduced onsite construction time
- Factory assembly improved quality control and consistency
- Fewer touches onsite lowered safety risk
- Faster installation minimized disruption to club operations
Each pod was engineered to include structural steel, integrated cable management, and solar ready framing. This allowed the onsite installation team to place fully assembled modules quickly and efficiently using crane lifts.
In line with the broader RSL & leagues club car park approach, the design also ensured that parking capacity was maintained throughout the installation period, protecting overall member access and convenience.
INSTALLATION AND DELIVERY
The installation strategy at Wests Illawarra was carefully coordinated to minimise impact on day-to-day club activity.
Unlike traditional construction methods, which can take months and require large onsite crews, the modular approach dramatically reduced the time crew members spent working at height and onsite.
Key aspects of the installation included:
- Delivery of prefabricated canopy pods to site
- Night works and staging to limit interference with peak traffic
- Crane-assisted placement of pods into prepared foundations
- Sequential, efficient installation to preserve car park access
By staging work outside of peak periods and maintaining open access to the majority of parking spaces, the team ensured a smooth installation process that preserved patron experience throughout.
The feedback from the club speaks for itself:
Wests Illawarra Annual Report 2025
“The biggest challenge for us was minimising the interruption to our customers and trying to maintain as many parking spots as we could throughout the construction period…[The] modular solution meant a lot of the fabrication work could be done offsite, which meant there was minimal disruption to our patrons and we managed to get the project completed prior to Christmas.”
— Matt Demos, Strategic Leader, Wests Illawarra Leagues Club
Sustainability Outcomes and User Experience
Upon completion, the Wests Illawarra Solar Car Park began producing renewable electricity during daylight hours. This generation is used onsite, offsetting a portion of the club’s electrical loads and reducing reliance on grid energy.
Key benefits include:
- Onsite renewable energy generation that lowers energy bills
- Reduced carbon emissions and support for sustainability goals
- Shaded parking that improves member comfort and protects vehicles
- Improved aesthetics and functionality of the car park
- Minimal disruption during construction, retaining full parking use
By transforming the car park into a solar canopy, the club gained both a functional upgrade and a long-term asset that contributes to operational efficiency.
For members, the solar canopy delivers a step change in car park usability. With shaded parking, vehicles are protected from heat, rain and sun — improving comfort when arriving at and leaving the club. Floodlighting can be integrated into the canopy, enhancing safety in the evenings.
These amenity improvements align with broader trends in community and sports clubs, where facilities increasingly compete on offering high-quality, climate-resilient spaces that foster member engagement and satisfaction.
Project Significance
The Wests Illawarra Solar Car Park stands as a compelling example of how clubs can repurpose existing assets to deliver both member benefit and operational value. Rather than simply shading cars, the solar canopy system generates renewable energy that directly offsets consumption, supports sustainability commitments, and delivers measurable cost savings over time.
By using a modular delivery model, the club was able to achieve this without significant disruption to daily operations — preserving member access and enhancing the member experience in a way that aligns with contemporary expectations for quality infrastructure and sustainability leadership.
As community and sporting clubs across Australia look for ways to contain costs, reduce emissions, and enhance member amenities, solar car parks represent an increasingly attractive opportunity. The success of the Wests Illawarra project demonstrates that modular solar canopy solutions can deliver high value while protecting day-to-day operations.
Wests Illawarra has gained a visible, productive asset that serves both functional and environmental goals. With renewable generation now part of the club’s energy strategy, the facility is better positioned for future growth, resilience, and sustainability.
Is your facility ready for infrastructure that works around you?
Contact the Canyon Solar team today to discuss a feasibility assessment for your site.
