Solar Panels for Hospitals
Discover how solar panels can help hospitals and healthcare facilities keep energy costs at bay while supporting a greener, healthier planet.
With the National Health Service (NHS) at breaking point, UK hospitals need to scrimp every penny they can. Thankfully, installing a solar power system will not only provide a reliable supply of renewable energy; it could save your hospital tens of thousands of pounds.
Solar power is energy harnessed by the sun using solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. Not only do solar panels cut carbon footprint and slash energy bills, but they also shine a light on the future of a healthier, happier planet. Whether you are an NHS trust looking for alternative energy solutions or a private medical facility wanting to prioritise sustainability, our solar energy solutions could be exactly what you need.
Benefits of Solar Panels for Hospitals
Cost savings
Combine insupportable healthcare demand with rising energy costs, and you have a recipe for unbalanced books. One part of the solution could be to install solar panels. Though the upfront investment isn’t small, solar panels today cost nowhere near what they used to. And, thankfully, for healthcare facilities, there are funding initiatives that will offset costs, meaning your hospital will get all of the cost-saving benefits without needing to foot the bill.
- With an aim to decrease emissions by 75% by 2037, the UK government has launched the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. This funding is available to public bodies such as schools and hospitals to assist with the transition towards energy efficiency measures.
- Hospitals can also benefit from the zero VAT rate for the installation of panels. Note that this measure is only available until March 2027.
Now the cheapest energy source, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), incorporating solar power into your medical facility’s energy plan is a no brainer.
Reliable power supply
Hospitals rely on a consistent power supply for lighting, life-support machines, lifts, and other critical healthcare services. In the event of a national grid power outage, backup generators kick in, providing energy to last for at least eight hours until the main power source is back up and running.
While backup generators should start working within seconds, errors can cause this to extend to minutes. In a medical setting, this could literally be a matter of life and death. With a solar power system installed, your hospital will have greater energy independence and not need to fear fatal power outages.
As an example, heat waves are a key cause of power outages. For solar panels? Not a problem. While extremely high temperatures can affect the efficiency of solar power generation, it would take temperatures of 85°C for solar panels to stop working completely. This means solar panels will keep generating electricity for hospitals even when other power sources are down.
Environmental sustainability
The NHS is committed to becoming the first net zero national health service in the world by 2040. To meet these targets, NHS trusts need to implement sustainable practices to increase the operational energy efficiency of medical facilities.
With energy demand in buildings being one of the main carbon footprint contributors within the NHS, infrastructure seems like a sensible place to start. Roof space is in abundance on medical facilities, and can be put to good use by harnessing the energy of the sun to convert it into electricity.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging for Transport Fleets
In line with the UK Government’s aim to ban petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles by 2040, the NHS is transitioning towards low-emission and electric vehicle fleets. According to the Greener NHS net zero report, this will require “comprehensive electric charging infrastructure across the NHS.”
By combining solar panels with EV charging stations, healthcare facilities can utilise parking shelter rooftop space while providing the necessary EV charging infrastructure required.
Enhanced public image
For private healthcare facilities, having a plan for more sustainable operations may be an attractive draw for eco-conscious patients. For the NHS, increasing dissatisfaction over long waiting lists and overworked staff has resulted in a negative public image. Given that 92% of the general public believes the NHS should operate more sustainably, these negative attitudes could be partially countered by greener practices, such as installing solar panels.
Happier staff
The pressures of a struggling healthcare system have driven many healthcare professionals to leave the profession or retire early.
A key way to increase employee satisfaction—particularly for younger, eco-conscious staff—is to increase the availability of EV charging stations on site. A 2021 YouGov survey found that 87% of NHS staff are supportive of the NHS net zero initiative.
Improve population health
According to the World Health Organisation, chronic exposure to air pollution results in a decrease in life expectancy, resulting in diseases like cancer and asthma.
In light of this, medical facilities have a duty of care to reduce dependence on fossil fuels that contribute to air pollution and transition to healthier energy sources.
Solar Panel Installations for Hospitals
When you partner with Perfect Sense Energy, our expert engineers will be right beside you from the very start to finish.
Site survey
We review your healthcare facilities to ascertain the best placement of solar panels, as well as how much energy will be required.
Design and Engineering
Based on the site survey, our dedicated team puts together a bespoke solar PV system tailored to the energy needs of your hospital.
Permits and Approvals
We arrange and manage any permits required for solar PV system installation.
Installation
Our team installs the solar PV system, adhering to strict health and safety guidelines and with minimal disruption to patients and staff.
Testing and Commissioning
We ensure that your healthcare facility solar panel installation is successfully producing energy.
Maintenance and Monitoring
Perfect Sense Energy provides a maintenance and monitoring service to ensure that your solar panels are kept clean and continue working efficiently for decades to come.
If you are looking for an affordable renewable energy option that grants your medical facility energy independence, We are here to help. Contact us today for top-of-the-range solar energy solutions.
Solar Panels for Hospitals FAQs
How Much Do Solar Panels For Hospitals Cost?
The cost of installing solar panels will depend on the size and nature of the healthcare facilities. Depending on these factors, initial installation costs will be in the range of £18-90k. A large-scale general hospital will have much higher energy needs than a small general practice, for example.
Will Installing Solar Panels Disrupt Hospital Operations?
With the solar energy solutions we provide, we will agree on a work schedule prior to installation. The work will be completed primarily during the daytime to ensure minimal disruption. If power needs to be shut off to connect solar, it would be for no more than 1-2 hours, based on the pre-agreed schedule.
What Maintenance Will Solar Panels For Hospitals Require?
On the whole, solar panels require very low maintenance day-to-day. Approximately once a year, solar panels will need to be cleaned and inspected to ensure they are working as efficiently as possible. Perfect Sense Energy provides comprehensive maintenance services, including solar panel cleaning and inverter inspection.
How Long Will The Solar PV System Last?
Solar panels have a life span of 25 years, with the inverter needing to be replaced every 10-15 years.
