Case Study

Merrylands RSL Club

Watch the video here

Project Size:

190kW Rooftop Solar

Key Project Stats

266 MWh Generation Per Year

Expected ROI in 5 Years

213t Annual Co2 Savings

4 Weeks Installation Timeframe

At the heart of Sydney's western suburbs, Merrylands RSL Club is a cherished local institution where members gather daily to enjoy the club’s famous buffet.

As with all clubs which provide round-the-clock amenities, Merrylands' energy demands are painfully high. The management team decided to investigate how solar power may be able to offset their energy bills and protect against future market volatility, and they knew just the person to help them with this project.

Smart’s National Business Development Manager, Nick Blacklock, has ties to the club which go back many years to when they sponsored his rugby league club as a youngster. He worked tirelessly on bringing this project to fruition over three years, guiding the MRSL team through rounds of design, deployment and finally electrification of the system.

With more development planned, Merrylands RSL aims to become one of Western Sydney’s top entertainment destinations. The team are keen to extend their current solar system as their rooftop space grows and evolves, enabling them to further reduce the club’s emissions and energy bills in time.

THE CHALLENGE

Merrylands RSL's round-the-clock operations posed unique challenges for the installation of a solar energy system. Logistical complexities arose from the need to transport materials to the roof, which required innovative solutions due to the impracticality of shutting down a main road for crane operations. Additionally, the installation had to accommodate three different roof types, including concrete and tin, each presenting its own complexities.

Electrical constraints also needed to be addressed. Adapting the solar system to the club's existing electrical infrastructure required creative solutions to overcome space limitations and ensure seamless integration. Furthermore, minimising disruptions to the club's operations was a critical consideration throughout the project.

THE SOLUTION

Smart Commercial Solar addressed these challenges with a combination of innovation and expertise. Instead of traditional crane operations, the team devised a manual method for transporting panels to the roof, reducing costs and simplifying logistics.

Customised installation plans were developed for each roof type, including specialised mounting systems and waterproofing techniques. Creative approaches, such as building a tee-off box and standalone inverter station, ensured seamless integration with the club's electrical infrastructure.

THE RESULTS

The implementation of the 190kW solar system yielded impressive results for Merrylands RSL:

Cost Savings: The solar system generates 266MWh per year, reducing the club's energy costs by around 10%, aligning with their financial objectives and delivering tangible savings.
Seamless Integration: Despite the logistical and technical challenges, the installation was completed within four weeks and within budget, providing Merrylands RSL with a reliable and efficient energy solution.
Long-term Support: Smart Commercial Solar's commitment to ongoing support and maintenance ensures the system continues to operate at peak efficiency, maximising returns on investment.
Future Expansion: Merrylands RSL's future development plans offer opportunities for further expansion of the solar energy system, providing additional cost savings and environmental benefits.

THE SUMMARY

The solar project at Merrylands RSL exemplifies the successful integration of solar energy into a bustling community hub. Nick’s personal dedication to ensuring the smooth delivery of the project and the flexibility and expertise of the Smart Commercial Solar engineering team combined to deliver a successful project and a happy customer.

By overcoming logistical, technical, and operational challenges, the solar system has delivered the required savings and positioned Merrylands RSL well for the future, through expansion, redevelopment and beyond.