New solar panel funding awarded to Dorset HealthCare

Dorset HealthCare has been successful in their bid for funding for solar panels which will save the Trust around £200,000 a year.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has announced a package of £100 million from Great British Energy for the NHS to install solar power and battery storage solutions to help drive down energy bills, offering better value for the taxpayer.

As part of this new funding Dorset HealthCare has been awarded £928,000 to install solar panels at six Trust sites.

Investing in renewable energy generation will deliver reductions in energy costs. These new solar panel installation projects are expected to deliver savings of around £8.6 million a year, and up to £260 million over the panel’s lifetime across the NHS.

As part of work to meet NHS carbon net zero targets, Dorset HealthCare is switching to eco-friendly, energy-efficient equipment – and helping staff go ‘green’ at the same time.

The Trust, one of Dorset’s biggest employers, is making great strides in reducing its carbon ‘footprint’ and supporting the battle against climate change.

The Trust already buys clean, renewable energy and has previously installed solar panels at five of its locations. By using a mix of solar, wind and hydro energy, this will offset around 3,000 tonnes of CO2.

Patrick McDermott, Dorset HealthCare’s Head of Sustainability and Fleet, said:

“We have made great progress over the last year in reducing our carbon footprint. We are committed to playing our part in improving the environment and are aiming to cut carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2030.

“Our target is to become a carbon net zero health service by 2040. It’s great we are making this change to clean and renewable electricity generated by solar panels.”

The installation of the panels is expected to start in late Summer 2025.