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Case Studies

Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust - Solar PV System

Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust - Solar PV System

Quick Facts

Sector: Public Sector
Project: NHS Trust
Location: Birmingham
Technology: Solar PV
Energy Output: 40,000kWh per year
Fuel Saving: 17.8 tonnes of CO2

“This is a great achievement for SWBH. It is hoped that the initiative will drive down carbon, help save costs and the environment!”
Nick Lane, Estates Compliance Officer

The Project

Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust (SWBH) was keen to cut energy use by installing solar PV on selected buildings within its Estate, including the prestigious Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre (BMEC), one of the largest bespoke eye care facilities in Europe.  The initiative was a partnership between SWBH and energy supplier EON, who awarded the installation contract to TGE Group, to oversee the 200 solar module installation.

The Solution

After a detailed survey of BMEC, located at Birmingham City Hospital, TGE Group identified four south facing, 40 degree pitch roof areas as ideal for a linked 50kWp solar PV system.  The design was complicated by a split level, concrete tile roof, with each of the four arrays requiring different string layouts and extensive cabling to three SMA loft inverters.  The system was supported by a Webbox monitoring system.

The installation team liaised with the NHS Trust and the Estates Team throughout to ensure minimal disruption to patients and staff.  Installation work was scheduled around operating theatre list times as an array was directly above two operating theatres.

Following the success of this project, TGE Group was invited to quote and successfully tendered for a further 50kWp solar PV system, with monitoring and public display, at Rowley Regis Hospital, also under the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.

Energy Saving

The BMEC solar PV system was linked to the hospital grid, with all electricity expected to be used on site, saving the Trust around £3,000 per year and generating an income of over £5,000 a year.  The power generated is enough to supply 29 homes for a year and will cut the hospital's carbon emissions by over 17.8 tonnes a year.