Powering Care: How Solar and Battery Storage are Revolutionising UK Hospitals
Hospitals are the beating heart of our communities, providing critical care and saving lives every day. With such an essential role, the demand for reliable and uninterrupted energy is paramount. Across the UK, hospitals are rising to the challenge by embracing solar power an innovative way to ensure energy reliability while slashing costs and carbon emissions.
Take Castle Hill Hospital in East Yorkshire, a trailblazer in renewable energy. In May 2022, it became the first UK hospital to be powered entirely by its own renewable energy during daylight hours. Thanks to a solar installation dubbed the "Field of Dreams," the hospital now generates enough electricity during the day to power its entire site, including vital equipment, operating theatres, and patient care facilities. With 11,000 solar panels installed on adjacent land, this system saves the hospital an astounding £250,000 to £300,000 each month in energy costs. More importantly, it reduces reliance on external power sources, ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply for critical services.
Milton Keynes University Hospital offers another incredible example. Its solar array, consisting of 2,586 panels, produces enough electricity to power over 200 homes annually and has saved the hospital more than £18,000 while cutting 181 tonnes of CO₂ emissions in its first year. Recognising the need for energy reliability, the hospital is expanding its solar capacity with an additional 900 panels, combined with advanced battery storage systems. This expansion will allow the hospital to store excess solar energy for use during peak times or emergencies, ensuring its critical operations remain unaffected by power fluctuations or outages.
Battery storage is proving to be a game-changer for hospitals. By storing solar energy generated during the day, hospitals can ensure a constant power supply even when the sun isn’t shining. This not only provides a safety net during emergencies but also helps reduce the strain on the national grid during high-demand periods—a vital consideration for institutions that can’t afford downtime.
At Getricity, we make transitioning to solar energy seamless and hassle-free. Our no-upfront-cost solution includes the supply and installation of high-quality solar panels and battery storage systems, helping our clients unlock savings of up to 30% on energy bills while ensuring a reliable and sustainable power source. Ready to explore the benefits of solar for your hospital? Contact us today to schedule your free site survey and discover how we can help you harness the power of solar!