THE SWITCH on of ground-breaking solar panels at Langdon Hospital in Dawlish is expected to save the NHS £185,000 a year and could pave the way for more health facilities to generate energy.

Funded through a national clean energy grant awarded to Devon Partnership NHS Trust, the installation of the 1.042 MW solar array and battery storage solution is forecast to meet more than 60per cent of the hospital’s annual electricity requirements.

The ground-mounted solar-park and battery storage installation is now generating clean power which feeds directly into the hospital's operations.

The project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by over 145 tonnes annually – equivalent to the carbon absorbed by approximately 6,500 trees – and is being viewed as a landmark scheme that could provide a blueprint for other NHS estates and healthcare providers across the UK.

It is showing how relatively small areas of land adjacent to hospitals can be transformed into significant sources of renewable power, helping major clinical sites become more self-sufficient.

Langdon Hospital’s site can now generate its own energy, significantly reducing the hospital's reliance on imported grid electricity, while increasing its ability to cope with peak periods of demand such as during heatwaves, when energy hungry air conditioning is in use.

Now, the hospital can store excess solar energy generated during the day which can be drawn on overnight or during high-demand periods.

It also opens up the potential for energy exports to the grid, that could bring in thousands of pounds of income to the trust.

Phill Mantay, Chief Executive at Devon Partnership NHS Trust, adds: ‘This investment not only supports our commitment to sustainability but also ensures significant cost savings that can be redirected into enhancing patient care.

‘By embracing renewable energy, we are taking a crucial step towards a greener future for our organisation and the wider NHS community.’

Gabriel Wondrausch, Director at SunGift Solar which installed the system, explained: ‘Through the use of commercial solar cells, coupled with one of the largest battery storage installations of its kind in the UK, we have transformed a relatively small parcel of land into a hugely valuable solar asset capable of delivering the majority of the hospital’s annual electricity needs.

‘This is particularly exciting because it provides a model that can be replicated across NHS and healthcare estates throughout the UK.

‘This has been one of the most complex projects we’ve ever undertaken.

‘Throughout, we have overcome technical and logistical challenges, working around an operational forensic hospital to complete the project on time, on budget, and without any disruption to clinical operations.’

The system was officially switched on by Newton Abbot MP Martin Wrigley.

He said: ‘This 1 megawatt array will generate almost enough electricity to make the site largely self-sufficient. Not only will it reduce the hospital’s carbon footprint, it will also make the site more resilient.

‘This is a great example of how investment in renewable energy can benefit both local services and the environment.’