GB Energy Rooftop Solar Panels Cut Bills for NHS and Schools

THE FIRST FIVE NHS sites have been fitted with Great British Energy rooftop solar panels, along with 11 schools.

It marks the first major projects for Great British Energy – a publicly-owned company.

The solar systems fitted at the schools and hospitals will save a combined total of £3.8 million on their energy bills.

In England, around £80 million of government-backed investment is supporting around 200 schools, alongside £100 million for nearly 200 NHS sites, covering a third of NHS trusts, to install rooftop solar panels.

The NHS is the single biggest public sector energy user, with an estimated annual energy bill of £1.4 billion, which has more than doubled since 2019.

The total lifetime savings for schools and the NHS is up to £400 million. Government says the money saved will be “re-invested” in public services.

Great British Energy Rooftop Solar

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Across the country, solar panels are going up on rooftops or carpark canopies, to power classrooms and operating theatres with clean, homegrown power.”

Currently only about 20% of schools and around 10% of hospitals have solar panels installed, despite the huge potential for the clean energy technology to help save money on bills.

Chris Gormley, Chief Sustainability Officer at NHS England, said: “We are set to expand solar generation by more than 300% across the NHS – slashing millions of pounds from energy bills, which can then be redirected into patient care.

“These new solar panels are expected to save the NHS £8.6 million every year once all the projects are completed, adding up to £260 million over their lifetime.”

The devolved governments have received separate GBE funding of £9.35 million for renewable energy schemes.

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