NHS hospitals are among the highest energy consumers in the public sector. Electricity alone can account for between 40% and 50% of a Trust’s Scope 2 carbon emissions. And energy costs constantly put pressure on shrinking operational budgets. You’re also now required to hit Net Zero carbon emissions on Scope 1 and 2 by 2024, and supply chain emissions by 2045.
Solar PV is currently the highest-impact decarbonisation intervention you can use on your NHS site. It reduces energy bills and becomes cash positive from day one and can be installed with minimal disruption.
Hospitals can’t afford a power failure that could put patient safety at risk. But you also can’t ignore rising energy costs that run into hundreds of thousands of pounds a year. Or sustainability targets NHS Trusts are legally obligated to meet.
Solar panels for hospitals meet all these challenges. By generating clean electricity on-site, your estate reduces its exposure to grid volatility and cuts annual energy bills by up to £45,000 a year on average. They also help you make progress towards Scope 1 and 2 emissions targets.
An average NHS hospital can save up to £45,000 a year in electricity costs through a correctly sized solar installation. Larger district general hospitals and multi-site trusts see even higher returns and significant cost savings. Most healthcare solar installations reach payback within 2 to 4 years, with systems typically giving you clean electricity for 25 years or more.
You carry a duty of care that makes energy security a non-negotiable requirement for your hospital. A solar system combined with battery storage gives your facility a reliable on-site bugger, reducing your exposure to grid disruption or price spikes.
More than 85% of NHS Trust Green Plans name solar PV as a priority solution. Installing solar directly contributes to your Scope 2 emission reduction targets, supports CCG reporting obligations and gives you measurable progress you can report on. We match every installation to your specific reporting needs at the beginning.
When your system creates more electricity than your site uses, you can sell your surplus power back to the National Grid through the Smart Export Guarantee.
Installing battery storage alongside your solar PV increases your self-reliance for power consumption, allowing you to use your own stored energy during peak tariff periods or overnight.
Solar energy is the most direct route to meeting your 2040 and 2045 net zero targets. Unlike other energy solutions, solar immediately cuts your carbon output and maps it directly to your emission reporting categories.
Every kilowatt-hour generated is one you don’t have to buy from the grid, reducing costs and CO2 in an easily reported and audited way.
We work with estates and sustainability teams to ensure your system design, monitoring setup and commissioning documentation match NHS reporting requirements.
One of the most common reasons NHS Trusts delay investments in solar energy is simply the capital cost. But there are a number of finding routes available to you that remove or at least significantly reduce your upfront capital costs.
We can advise on the most appropriate funding route for your Trust procurement framework and current budget.
Grant funding is available to public sector organisations for decarbonisation projects, including solar PV. Application windows open periodically and can help fund a large part of your solar installation costs.
With this option a third party funds and installs the system in exchange for a long-term agreement that you’ll purchase the electricity created by the system from them, usually below grid rates.
If you want to own your system but need to spread the cost, commercial asset finance and lease options are available with fixed monthly costs over an agreed period.
We install solar PV across the full range of healthcare settings. If your facility has viable roof space, car park infrastructure or ground-mount options, we can assess your capacity.
Can solar panels power critical hospital equipment?
Solar panels for hospitals supplement grid supply rather than replacing it outright. Critical systems remain protected by the grid connection. Battery storage can add more capacity by maintaining supply from stored energy generation if the grid is interrupted.
Can smaller facilities like GP surgeries benefit from solar?
Yes. System capacity is scaled to your available roof or ground space and your specific energy demands. We work across GP surgeries, community hospitals, hospices and care homes as well as larger acute hospital sites.
What is the payback period for hospital solar?
Most healthcare solar installations reach full payback within 2 to 4 years, depending on the size of your solar panel system and your financing structure. Professionally planned and installed solar panels for hospitals can generate electricity for 25 years or more, meaning the majority of the systems life is pure profit or savings after the payback period.
Will installation disrupt our clinical services?
No, we keep disruption to your clinical services to a minimum by planning the installation well in advance in coordination with your team. We schedule work around your operational requirements, use experienced healthcare installation teams and communicate with you openly during the installation to avoid any issues. You’ll be given a full risk assessment and method statement before work starts.
20 Swan Street
Manchester
M4 5JW
330 Fouroaks Road,
Walton Summit
PR5 8AP