Top 5 Things to Think About When Considering Solar Car Shades for Your Business

Solar car shades are an excellent way to enhance your business’s sustainability while providing valuable benefits like shading and potential EV charging. In the past three years, we’ve seen a huge uptick of interest in this innovative solution, as businesses seek to increase on-site solar power generation and improve their customer experience.  

However, before you dive in, there are a few critical factors to consider. Here’s a breakdown of the top five things to think about when considering solar car shades for your site. 

1. Do you know what's underground?

Before you go “up” it’s crucial to understand what lies beneath your car park. Sub-surface surprises can lead to costly delays, so it’s essential to conduct a geotechnical report and a survey scan first. These will assess soil conditions and identify potential obstructions for footings and trenches. We suggest taking these steps before signing any contracts to avoid unexpected expenses. 

2. Is waterproofing important?

Waterproofing is a major design consideration that can significantly impact project costs, potentially adding up to 20% more. Without waterproofing, gaps between panels (about 10mm) can lead to drips during heavy rain. While this might be acceptable for employee parking, where basic shelter is sufficient, customer-facing areas may demand a fully waterproof solution.

Carefully weigh the design and cost implications before deciding on the style of solar car shade which will suit your needs. 

3. Do you need a consultant?

At Smart, we work with several great consultants and value their input considerably. However, the short answer when it comes to solar car shades is no – you don’t need to budget for a consultant.

Bringing in consultants can add around 10% to your project costs without necessarily improving the outcome. Instead, invest those funds directly into the project by partnering with professionals who have hands-on experience building solar car shades. This approach ensures a more streamlined, cost-effective and efficient process. 

4. Is your car park optimised?

A solar car shade project is a perfect time to rethink your car park’s design. Many businesses discover that their existing layout could use an upgrade. Whether it’s resurfacing or remarking lines, combining these improvements with your solar shade installation ensures long-term benefits, as these structures will be in place for decades. It also avoids disrupting patrons or visitors by closing your carpark down twice in a matter of years. 

5. Is EV charging going to be important?

As of 2024, EVs make up about 9.4% of new light vehicle sales in Australia, with sustainability and lower running costs being key motivators.1 Among Australians without an EV, 60.6% are considering one, though high costs and limited charging infrastructure remain barriers.2 

Given these stats, there’s no doubt that integrating charging stations into your solar car park project is a smart move. AC chargers can easily be incorporated into most solar car shade designs, helping future proof your facility and meet the evolving needs of employees and customers.  

There’s a lot to think about when investing in any innovative commercial infrastructure and solar car shades are no different. Taking the time to address these five essential considerations upfront will save you time, money, and headaches down the line. At Smart, we offer Early Works Programmes that cover all these top considerations and provide you with multiple design options with clear, firm costs.  

Book a time to discuss your options with a member of the team today. 

Resources:

Annual Climate Change Statement 2022

EVs in Australia – the polling results are in | QBE AU