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NHS Case Study

380 kWp NHS Acute Trust Solar Install

A UK NHS Acute Trust commissioned 380 kWp across the main hospital roof. Annual saving £108k, payback funded by PSDS. Install protocol designed around infection control and clinical operations.

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380 kWp

System size

345,000 kWh

Annual yield

£108,000

Annual saving

PSDS

Grant funded

NHS Acute Trust operating a regional district hospital — 450 beds, 24/7 operation, 1.8 GWh annual electricity. Commercial tariff: 30p/kWh. Trust contributes to Net Zero NHS commitment (2030 for Scope 1+2).

The Site

NHS Acute Trust operating a regional district hospital — 450 beds, 24/7 operation, 1.8 GWh annual electricity. Commercial tariff: 30p/kWh. Trust contributes to Net Zero NHS commitment (2030 for Scope 1+2).

What We Built

  • Panels: 635 × Trina Vertex S+ 600W
  • Inverters: 4 × SMA Sunny Tripower CORE2 110kW
  • Mounting: Ballasted at 10°; coordinated with RAAC panel screening
  • PSDS funding: 75% of capital
  • Infection control: Fenced section working; no clinical area entry
  • Schedule: 11 weeks, zero clinical disruption

Approach

PSDS Phase 4 grant covered 75% of capital. Install protocol developed with the Trust's infection prevention team — working within fenced sections of the roof, no entry to clinical areas, controlled materials movement. RAAC roof panel screening completed before scaffolding install.

Outcome

Installed in 11 weeks with zero clinical disruption. Year-1 generation 4% above forecast. Annual saving £108k. Trust estates manager: 'The infection-control protocol was the critical bit — they got it right first time.'

Key Numbers

  • System size: 380 kWp
  • Annual generation: 345,000 kWh
  • Annual saving: £108,000
  • Payback: Day-one (post-grant)
  • CO2 displaced: 78 tonnes/yr

For other installations across this sector, see Solar for NHS healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions

How were these numbers calculated?

All numbers in this case study are taken from real installed-fleet performance — not modelled forecasts. Generation data is from the inverter monitoring system; savings are calculated against the customer's actual electricity tariff at the time of install.

Can you build a similar system for my business?

Yes — every case study profile is replicable on similarly-sized properties. Send us your half-hourly meter data and a roof sketch; we'll return a free desk feasibility within 5 working days.

Why use representative case studies?

Some customers prefer not to be named publicly for commercial reasons. Where the customer wishes to be named, we publish full attribution. Where confidentiality is preferred, we publish the project at the same scale and with the same financial structure as the original.

How does payback compare across our other installs?

Across our installed fleet of 350+ commercial systems, payback typically falls in the 3.5–5.5 year range. The 25-year cumulative saving runs 6–10× the original capital outlay.

Can I visit a similar live installation?

In many cases, yes — subject to host customer agreement. Reference visits are arranged where the host customer is willing and where commercial sensitivities don't prevent it.

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