Photos | Lifts and innovative solar power system features of completed Como station upgrade

The main improvement in the $18 million project is two lifts which connect the platform and commuter car park to the underpass.

The once drab underpass has been decorated with colourful murals and an image of the original station, which was located closer to the Georges River, is stencilled in the concrete, with an accompanying plaque.

The lifts are already operating, ahead of the official opening on Monday November 22.

Then Transport Minister Andrew Constance announced in May 2020 a contract had been awarded to Degnan Constructions, with work expected to take 18 months.

Mr Constance said at the time the steep ramp leading to the underpass on the western side and the 28 steps to the platform were "almost a human rights barrier" for people with a disability.

Announcing the completion of work, Transport for NSW said, as part of the upgrade, a solar glass canopy was installed between the new platform lift and station building.

"The solar glass system is designed to produce 58 kWh of clean, renewable energy every day," the statement said.

"This is equivalent to powering three average Sutherland Shire households every day.

"The solar glass system will offset 185 tonnes of CO2 in the first ten years of operation. This is equivalent to removing 80 average NSW cars off the road.

"The canopy will allow natural light to illuminate the underpass and create an aesthetic tiled pattern across the station."

The statement said the solar glass material was imported from Onyx Solar in Spain, a world leading producer of Building Integrated Photovoltaic (Bi-PV) technology.

"The solar glass material is a combination of two tempered glass sheets, housing the 6in Mono-Crystalline Solar Cells and electrical connections (EVA foils).

"While the canopy does not offer complete sun protection, like a traditional steel canopy, the solar glass canopy offers a high degree of sun protection.

"Sunlight can pass through the tempered glass gaps between the solar panels, however, due to a combination of the sunlight being absorbed by the solar panels and special laminated tint on the interior tempered glass, the canopy blocks between 70 to 75 per cent of sunlight."

The statement said the new system would undergo a 12-month review period, with the results to guide future projects.

Other features of the station upgrade include new stairs on the western side connect to the underpass, improved ramp from Railway Road to meet compliant grade, new accessible pathways throughout the station precinct and new male and female ambulant toilets, a new family accessible toilet, CCTV and lighting.