Case Study: 8.1 kW Solar Carport in Gold Coast, Queensland
When a retired couple wanted to shield their vehicles from hail and slash power bills, SIPO delivered both — in a structure that now powers their home and EV.
When a retired couple on the Gold Coast wanted to shield their vehicles from hail and slash their power bills, SIPO delivered both — in a single structure that now powers their home and their EV.
The Brief
The clients had three priorities: protect two vehicles from Queensland's notorious summer hail, generate enough solar to cover their household and a new EV charger, and do it without drilling a single hole in their existing roof.
Their north-facing driveway was ideal. The only challenge was a steep 1.5 m gradient from the garage to the street, which meant the carport had to be stepped to stay level.
System Specification
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Modules | 15 × Polaris 540W bifacial, 8.1 kWp total |
| Inverter | 1 × 8 kW hybrid inverter with battery-ready port |
| Mounting | Ballasted aluminium frame, zero roof penetration |
| Structure | 6005-T5 aluminium alloy, stepped to match driveway gradient |
| Protection | Hail-resistant tempered glass (tested to 30 mm impact) |
The double-bay carport spans 5.7 m wide and 6.4 m deep — enough for a LandCruiser and a Tesla side by side.
Results After 12 Months
Annual generation came in at 12,400 kWh — about 8% above the P50 estimate, helped by an unusually sunny spring.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Self-consumed | 7,200 kWh (~$1,800 saved at 25 c/kWh) |
| Exported to grid | 5,200 kWh (~$720 FiT revenue at ~14 c/kWh) |
| Total first-year benefit | ~$2,520 |
| CO₂ offset | ~9.5 tonnes |
The clients' EV now charges entirely from the carport during the day. The battery-ready inverter means they can add storage later without replacing any hardware.
The Detail Nobody Talks About
The interlocking frame design meant we could assemble the entire structure in two days without a single waterproofing penetration. During the first storm season — a hail event that damaged neighbouring vehicles — the carport took direct 25 mm hail with zero glass breakage. The client rang us the next day to say: "Best insurance policy we ever bought."
Solar is a 25-year relationship. The carport is the handshake — the partnership starts tomorrow.
SIPO Building Solutions Pty Ltd — 25 Pike Street, Rydalmere NSW 2116 | 19 Warehouse Cct, Yatala QLD 4207