In September 2009, Built Environs, in partnership with Solar Shop Australia, completed the design and installation of Australia’s largest roof top solar panel system at the Adelaide Showground in Goodwood, South Australia.

The 1 MW system, consisting of over 12,500 panels over six roof tops, will provide up to 40% of the client’s annual power needs.

As well as the installation of the solar panels and associated systems, the project required structural upgrades to some of the buildings.

To help fast track the project, Built Environs reviewed the loading capacity of the affected roof tops and determined that panels could be crane-loaded on to certain areas of the existing structures on pallets and distributed via trolleys on framing rails. This created a safer working environment and saved months of installation time.

Innovations brought to the project included a clip-on extrusion framing system to minimise the number of roof penetrations and maintain the existing roof warranty, custom-made-drilling rigs for each of the major roof tops and a cloth and mesh system to prevent screw swarf entering the stormwater collection system.

The client was involved with all aspects of design and approval, while the programme was adjusted daily to suit the client’s constantly-changing events schedule.

Compulsory height safety training on the project and strict enforcement of all safety procedures resulted in zero LTIs and zero MTIs.

As with the highly successful Goyder Pavilion project, Built Environs managed the project in time for the opening of the Royal Adelaide Show, completing it two and a half months ahead of the contract date.

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