Care home solar: your questions answered

Because you use electricity around the clock. Heating, hot water, laundry, lifts, kitchens, nurse-call systems and lighting run day and night, so most of the power your panels generate is used on site at its full value rather than exported cheaply. That high self-consumption — typically 40–60% across the year and 80–90% in summer — is what makes the financial case so strong.

It depends on the size of the system, your roof and whether you add battery storage. Most residential homes suit a 25–60 kWp system, with larger nursing homes going beyond that. Rather than quote a misleading headline figure, we survey your roof and consumption and give you a fully costed proposal with clear payback. The survey is free and carries no obligation.

Savings depend on your system size, energy use and tariff, but many care homes see meaningful reductions in their daytime electricity costs, and medium-to-large homes often achieve six-figure savings over the lifetime of the system. We provide a detailed, location-specific projection once we have assessed your site.

For a well-sized care home system, payback is usually in the region of four to seven years. After that, the electricity is effectively free for the remaining 25-plus years of the system's life, which is why solar is best seen as a long-term asset rather than a short-term purchase.

We plan the work specifically to minimise disruption. That means quiet working windows around mealtimes, medication rounds, visiting hours and dementia-friendly routines, clear walkways, and a full briefing for your staff. There is no need for residents to leave the building.

No. You can buy outright (the strongest long-term return, often with 100% first-year tax relief via the Annual Investment Allowance), spread the cost with asset finance, or use a Power Purchase Agreement where a third party funds and installs the system at no upfront cost and you simply buy the power at a below-grid rate. Charity-owned homes may also access grant funding.

Solar almost always improves your EPC rating, because it reduces the grid electricity your building draws and increases overall energy efficiency. For CQC purposes, we provide a documentation pack that supports your 'well-led' evidence and maintenance records. We also schedule and document the work in a way that respects your regulated activities.

Yes. A battery stores daytime solar for the evening and can keep critical systems — lifts, nurse-call, medical equipment and refrigeration — running during a power cut. For care settings we specify lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are far more thermally stable than NMC, and site them safely away from escape routes.

Panels generate from daylight, not just direct sun, so they still produce useful power on overcast days. Output is lower in winter and highest in summer, but because a care home uses electricity every day, there is always demand ready to absorb whatever is generated. Our projections use real local weather data.

From your free survey to switch-on, a straightforward project typically takes a few weeks, depending on system size, scaffolding, the grid (G99) application and scheduling around your home's routine. We will give you a clear timeline in your proposal and keep you updated throughout.

No. A proper survey checks your roof structure and condition before anything is fitted, and panels are mounted using weatherproof systems designed for the covering you have, whether that is tile, slate, felt or a flat membrane. If your roof needs minor repair first we will tell you honestly. Done correctly, a solar array can actually protect the area of roof beneath it, and our workmanship is fully guaranteed.

For most care homes, roof-mounted solar falls under permitted development and does not require planning permission. Exceptions can apply to listed buildings, those in conservation areas, or some ground-mounted systems. We check the position for your specific property as part of the survey and handle any applications or notifications needed, so there are no surprises.

Very little. Solar panels have no moving parts, so day-to-day they simply work. We recommend an annual check of the inverter, wiring and mountings, and occasional cleaning if your roof is shaded by trees or near heavy traffic. Our monitoring alerts us if performance drops, and the panels and inverter carry long manufacturer warranties, so ongoing costs are low and predictable.