CHFT have recently made another significant step in our plans for a more sustainable and green future. At CRH we now have 486 solar panels on the roof which went live on Wednesday, 14th October. The aim of the panels is that we will create a greener, more energy-efficient estate and reduce the environmental impact of providing care.

The 486 panels have been installed on the roof of Block D. They are expected to generate 195 MWh of usable electricity each year - which is enough to power around 65 homes for a year.

The system is also forecast to save almost 40 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year (equivalent to planting 1,700 trees), supporting our Net Zero ambitions and the wider NHS commitment to reducing the environmental impact of healthcare. 

Environment Manager, Grace Barrett, said: "By investing in renewable energy, we are protecting our estate against rising energy costs while reducing our environmental impact for future generations. It also contributes to spending smarter together for the future as we will reduce the reliance for CRH on grid electricity and cut energy costs by approximately £43,000 per year."

The project was delivered through a partnership between the Trust, CHS, Equans and Albany, and was funded using a grant from the Great British Energy Funding Programme. The installation uses SolarEdge technology, widely regarded as one of the safest and most efficient solar PV systems available, helping to maximise on-site renewable generation while meeting the highest standards of performance and safety.

The solar panels at CRH follows the successful installation at HRI earlier this year which has already generated enough energy to power hundreds of homes.