Part of the recent press release from N Devon NHS….
SEATON
Community Hospital has taken a major step towards curbing its environmental
impact – thanks to the League of Friends.
The
hospital now has solar PV panels on its roof after the charity agreed to fund
the full installation costs.
It is
the first energy scheme ever financed by a League of Friends of any of the 18
hospitals managed by the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
The
array will significantly reduce the site’s electrical consumption and carbon
footprint, while any incentive payments from the government will be split 50-50
between the Trust and the League.
Bob
Lowe, deputy estates manager, has led the project for the Trust.
He
said: “This is an innovative investment that has been totally instigated and
driven by the League of Friends.
“This
is the first time in all my years of involvement with support charities that
such an offer has been made to the Trust.
“To
invest in an area that benefits the hospital not only in reduced costs but the
environmental impact of the site on the local community is extremely
forward-thinking.
“They
have seen the bigger picture and everyone is a winner as the installation is
expected to generate between 50 and 200kW of energy daily, all of which will be
used on the hospital site.”
Local
company Rudge Renewables completed the installation by the end of July, ahead
of a deadline that ensured the best tariff from the government.
The
hospital’s clear southern aspect in Scalwell Lane made it a prime candidate for
a solar PV array, and the 80 individual panels will produce 20kW of electrical
energy.
It is
anticipated that 17,700 kWh (units) of electrical power will be generated each
year, while the site’s energy footprint will be cut by 2.5 tonnes of carbon.
There
will also be financial benefits, with a projected £1,770 coming off the annual
energy bill and repayments of £2,600 each year through the government feed-in
tariff.
Mr
Lowe said the cost of the scheme was expected to be recouped in seven to 10
years.
He
said: “With little or no maintenance, the installation will just enhance the
site’s goal of providing local healthcare services in an
environmentally-friendly manner.”
Dr
Joe Pitt, chairman of the League of Friends, said: “When we came up with the
idea of funding solar power for the hospital we were delighted with the very
positive response from the Trust.
“As a
League we always want to help improve patient services at Seaton hospital and
this sort of scheme should release funds currently spent on energy bills to instead
go to direct patient care.
“We
are also aware of our wider responsibility to help reduce the carbon footprint
of the hospital.
“We
feel it is a model of how the voluntary sector can help the NHS to deliver on
those aims, and we hope this model can be copied elsewhere.”