What can I do if my roof is too small to install a big solar system?
If you’ve been told your roof is too small or too shaded for solar, you’re not out of options. In fact, the solution might be sitting right outside your driveway, backyard, or even a horse paddock.
Enter: The solar carport or solar pergola
These smart, stylish structures give homeowners and businesses a way to go solar without relying on roof space. And when it comes to best-in-class design? The GoodWe Vela Series solar carport, engineered by UMAX, stands out with style, strength, and serious power output.
Why roof space isn’t always enough
A typical solar system might need 20 to 30+ panels to generate enough power. But if your roof is:
- Too small
- Facing the wrong direction
- Covered in shade
- Cluttered with vents, skylights, or satellite dishes
- Or made from brittle or aging tiles
… then fitting a large system becomes difficult—or impossible.
With the rise of electric vehicles and home batteries, the old 6.6kW solar system doesn’t cut it anymore. Many modern homes are installing 15kW–30kW systems just to keep up with energy demand. But what if your roof can’t support that size?
The game-changing alternative: Solar Carports
A solar carport is exactly what it sounds like—a car shelter topped with high-efficiency solar panels. But it’s also a fully functional mini power station, designed to:
- Generate clean energy with panels facing the ideal direction
- Provide shade and weather protection
- Expand your solar capacity without touching your roof
And in many rural or rental settings, solar carports have become the go-to option where rooftop or ground-mounted systems aren’t feasible.
Meet the GoodWe Vela Series: Built for Aussie homes & businesses
The GoodWe Vela Series isn’t just a carport with panels bolted on top—it’s a fully integrated solar structure, built for performance, flexibility, and aesthetics. It’s part of GoodWe’s BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics) range, meaning it blends power generation into the built environment seamlessly.
Key Features:
- 4.8kW (single) or 8.0kW (double) system options
- High-efficiency 535W Polaris bifacial panels
- Built-in waterproofing and structural wrap
- Modular aluminium frame: corrosion-resistant and lightweight
- Fast install: 3 people can build a single in 4 hours, double in 6
- Wind rated to 240km/h, compliant with Australian standards
- Gamcorp-certified and 15-year structural warranty
- Adjustable pole mounting for height flexibility:
- Single: 6.5m x 3m
- Double: 6.5m x 5.2m
- Front height: 3m–3.5m; Rear height: 2m–2.5m
- Add-on options: lighting, CCTV, EV chargers
- Designed for seamless battery integration and EV charging
This isn’t just solar. It’s solar that works with your home, your lifestyle, and your growing energy needs.
Pergolas with Solar? Absolutely.
No car? No problem. The GoodWe Vela system can also be installed as a pergola, or you can opt for GoodWe’s Luxa Series, purpose-built solar pergolas that combine outdoor living with solar generation.
Perfect for:
- Alfresco dining areas
- Poolside lounges
- BBQ zones and garden retreats
You get stylish shade and solar energy—all without modifying your rooftop.
Flexible for commercial and rural settings
The Vela Series is also gaining traction in rural and small commercial settings:
- Tenancies where landlords don’t allow rooftop solar
- Small business owners can list it as an asset and claim depreciation
- Eligible for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) if connected to a meter
- Relocatable: bolt it to concrete, remove it at lease-end, and reuse
- Rural alternative to ground-mounts—no fencing required, and land under the structure remains usable
Whether you’re running a café, office, or small farm, this solar carport offers both energy and flexibility.
Real-World Example: From Horses to Horsepower
Take John Hill in Wonga Park, Melbourne. He didn’t have enough roof space—but he did have a horse paddock. So, he installed an 8 kW GoodWe Vela solar carport over the paddock.
“It’s not just shelter—it’s smart shelter,” John says. “My horses love it, and I’m saving on power. Win-win.”
From farm gear and livestock to tools or vehicles, solar carports serve multiple uses while delivering clean power.
Five Reasons the GoodWe Vela Carport is the ideal roof alternative
- Use the Space you already have
Turn your driveway or backyard into a solar site—no roof work required. - Better panel orientation
Unlike a rooftop, carports let you face panels to the optimal sun angle for better energy yield. - Double the value
Car shelter + solar generation = shade + savings. - Fast, flexible install
Modular, Lego-like design for speedy assembly and easy relocation. - Smart future-proofing
Add EV chargers, batteries, lighting, or CCTV—you’re building a full energy hub, not just a carport.
EV Charging + Battery Storage = Total Energy Independence
With the Vela carport, you can charge your EV directly from the solar panels above. And because it’s battery-ready, you can store that solar energy and use it anytime—day or night.
This isn’t just solar—it’s energy freedom.
Looking Ahead: More BIPV Solutions Coming Soon
GoodWe is just getting started. In the next 12 months, the company plans to launch:
- Solar patios
- New solar pergolas
- Other BIPV innovations tailored for Australian homes and evolving energy needs
Conclusion: No Roof? No Worries.
If your rooftop’s too small for solar, that’s no reason to miss out on clean energy. The GoodWe Vela Series offers a smart, sleek, and scalable way to install the solar system you really need.
Whether it’s for your home, rental property, farm, or small business, there’s a solar structure to suit your space. So the real question isn’t “Do I have enough roof?” It’s “How can I make better use of the space I already have?”
With GoodWe’s solar structures, the answer is simple: just look outside for your spare space.
