AIKO and Next Green Group Power Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre with 1.3 MW Rooftop Solar System

Shade-tolerant ABC modules and a flush-mount design unlock around 53% more capacity than tendered on one of Melbourne's most complex roofs.

MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Next Green Group (NGG) has delivered a 1.3 MW rooftop solar system at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) using AIKO's Comet series All Back Contact (ABC) modules.

The completed system increased capacity by more than 50% compared with the original 850 kW tender, converting the venue's distinctive curved roof into a major renewable energy asset.

MSAC is managed by the State Sport Centres Trust and welcomes more than two million visitors each year. The venue has hosted more than 40 international events, including the aquatic events of the 2006 Commonwealth Games, and operates a mix of pools, sports courts, stadiums, fitness spaces and associated building services.

The solar system, owned and operated by the State Electricity Commission (SEC) under an agreement with the Trust, began operating in September. It is expected to generate more than 1 GWh of renewable electricity each year, supplying around one-quarter of MSAC's electricity needs.

Innovative ABC Technology Overcomes Structural and Shading Challenges

MSAC's roof presented a difficult design challenge. Tower structures and cables cast shadows across much of its surface, while the roof geometry and structural constraints limited the use of a conventional tilted array.

A conventional design that avoided shaded roof areas was modelled at approximately 800 kW. After carefully assessing the roof geometry, shading profile and structural loads, NGG selected AIKO Comet ABC modules for their power density, low module weight and certified partial-shading performance.

AIKO's ABC cell architecture is designed to reduce the impact of partial shading, enabling designers to capture more value from roof sections that might otherwise be excluded. TÜV Rheinland has certified the modules Class A for partial shading resistance. This allowed NGG to work with the unavoidable shade, lifting system capacity to 1.3 MW, approximately 60% above the conventional design.

To preserve MSAC's iconic curved roofline, NGG installed a flush-mount system rather than a standard tilted array. The design reduced the clearance gaps required between tilted rows, allowing more modules to be installed across the available roof area while maintaining the building's visual integrity.

Before installation, NGG trialled mounting on the sharpest curves and conducted comprehensive wind and dead-load tests to ensure structural safety. The final installation comprises 2,016 AIKO mono-glass modules secured across approximately four kilometres of rail.

At 28 kg per module, the AIKO Comet panels offered a high power-to-weight ratio for the project's structural constraints. The array adds approximately 56 tonnes of module weight to the roof, significantly less than a conventional system of equivalent capacity.

"At MSAC, every square metre had to earn its place," said Thomas Bywater, Head of AIKO Australia & New Zealand.

"This project shows how ABC technology can help EPCs and asset owners increase solar capacity on rooftops where conventional approaches may be constrained by shading, roof geometry or structural limits."

More Energy and Cost Savings for the Community

MSAC has a substantial and consistent electricity demand. Its 10 multi-sport stadiums, 10 aquatic areas and more than 30 individual courts require energy for pumps, water treatment, heating and cooling, ventilation, lighting, scoreboards and other operational systems.

The solar system will help meet this demand by supplying electricity to the centre's pools, spa and sauna, along with the scoreboards serving its 10 indoor basketball courts. Its daytime operating profile also supports the use of on-site solar generation to reduce reliance on grid-supplied electricity.

The Victorian Government estimates the system will generate more than 1 GWh of renewable electricity annually and save the venue around $70,000 each year. Announcing the project, Minister for Energy and Resources Jaclyn Symes said the SEC was helping cut energy bills at the places Victorians use every day, from schools to sporting centres.

"MSAC required a design that responded to its roof geometry, shading and structural constraints rather than treating them as reasons to reduce system capacity," said Nathaniel Galindo, Executive General Manager – Integrated Energy Solutions, Next Green Group.

"By combining detailed engineering with AIKO's ABC module technology, we were able to make more of the available roof area while maintaining the building's safety and visual integrity."

Partnership Drives Engineering Excellence

Next Green Group served as the primary contractor, designing, building and now maintaining the system under a five-year maintenance agreement. With over 14 years of industry experience and more than 15,000 energy projects delivered nationwide, NGG brought a methodical, engineering-driven approach to every stage of the project.

A room near the main switchboard that previously housed MSAC's 20-year-old gas cogeneration unit was repurposed to accommodate nine 110 kW GoodWe HT Series inverters and the PV distribution board. The former cogeneration unit is being redeployed on an agricultural farm, while the room it occupied now houses MSAC's new renewable energy system.

The project was delivered in close coordination with MSAC and the State Sport Centres Trust to manage the structural requirements, preserve the building's appearance and minimise disruption to an active public venue. It reflects NGG's specialisation in large commercial and industrial sites, including active public venues with high energy demands like aquatic centres.

Accelerating Australia's C&I Solar Transition

The MSAC project reflects a wider opportunity across Australia's commercial, industrial and public-sector building stock. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis estimates that commercial and industrial rooftops have close to 40 GW of technical solar potential, compared with 5.6 GW currently installed.

While many large facilities have significant roof areas and daytime energy demand, the practical potential for rooftop solar is often reduced by factors such as roof geometry, structural loading, shading, heritage or aesthetic considerations. Unlocking more of that potential will take a more tailored approach, one that tackles roof challenges to deliver greater generation and energy-cost savings.

The MSAC case demonstrates how AIKO's All Back Contact technology can improve project feasibility and economics where conventional layouts fall short. It also highlights the value of EPCs' design and engineering expertise and their local understanding of Australian structural standards, grid-connection requirements and the practical demands of a high-traffic public venue.

AIKO and Next Green Group are working to turn more of Australia's commercial roof space into productive energy assets, making the benefits of renewable energy available to more businesses, public facilities and community organisations and accelerating the nation's energy transition.

For more information on the MSAC solar project, see the official Victorian Government media release: SEC Makes Savings Splash at MSAC

References

1. IEEFA, Unlocking the clean energy potential of Australian business rooftops, June 2026. ieefa.org
2. TÜV Rheinland Certificate of Conformity, Partial Shading Resistance Class A, tested according to 2 PfG 2926/01.23. Registration No. AK 50633875 0001, Report No. CN243P92 001, issued 6 June 2024. Available on request.

About AIKO Energy Australia & New Zealand

AIKO is a global solar technology company specialising in All Back Contact (ABC) cells and modules. Rated Tier 1 by BloombergNEF, AIKO has delivered more than 170 GW cumulative of solar products worldwide. Its ABC technology achieves module efficiencies of up to 25.2%, among the highest in mass production, delivering more energy, reliability and safety from every square metre of roof. With a strong local presence in Australia and New Zealand, AIKO works closely with leading EPCs, installers and distributors to deliver durable, high-performance solar for residential, commercial and industrial rooftops.

About Next Green Group

Next Green Group is a vertically integrated energy partner for Australian businesses, organisations and communities. Next Green Group designs, builds, and maintains solar and battery systems up to the megawatt scale, specialising in large commercial and industrial sites. This expertise extends to complex local government facilities and public venues, such as aquatic centres. Through its retail energy arm, NGG also provides access to the wholesale electricity market. With 14 years of industry experience, over 15,000 projects delivered, 25,000 customers supported nationwide, and more than $100 million saved in total energy costs, Next Green Group is a trusted partner in Australia's clean energy transition.

SOURCE Aiko