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The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital

First NHS hospital in the UK to implement a fully integrated 3MW solar‑plus‑storage system.

System Size

3MW

Energy GeneratED

2.86GWh/year
75% of site demand

Carbon Reduction

⁓600 tonnes/year

Annual ROI

21%
£750,000/year

Graphic of Hospital Solar Upgrade

About The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH)

This is a single‑site acute hospital with an annual electricity demand of 3.3–4GWh.

Like most hospitals, it has a consistently high electrical load because essential clinical areas — including ~200 inpatient and critical‑care beds, 15 operating theatres, and full MRI/CT diagnostic services — rely on power‑intensive equipment and building systems throughout the day.

This combination of specialised medical functions and complex estate infrastructure is typical of energy‑intensive healthcare facilities.

Watch how we delivered it
Aerial drone view of RJAH Hospital in Oswestry, Shropshire, showing solar carports and surrounding site once completed in 2026

What was their goal?

RJAH set out to cut emissions, reduce reliance on grid electricity, and strengthen energy resilience in line with the NHS commitment to reach net zero by 2040. Their project shows that large‑scale decarbonisation can be delivered on live acute hospital sites without disrupting clinical services. The project provides a transferable model for other high‑demand, grid‑constrained estates.

 

Aerial view of RJAH Hospital in Oswestry, Shropshire, showing rooftop solar installations across the site.

How did we help?

ZLC Energy designed and delivered a fully integrated 3MW solar‑plus‑storage system.

Our engineering team deployed ~7,500 rooftop and carport‑mounted modules, integrated a 650kWh PrimePower battery system, and implemented a bespoke EMS to coordinate generation, storage and demand within tight DNO export constraints on a rural connection.

This coordinated system now cuts emissions by around 600 tonnes a year, provides 75% on‑site clean power, and reduces electricity costs by approximately £750,000 annually.

650kWh PrimePower battery storage system comprising six 109kWh units with 50kW hybrid inverters.

Key Features

  • Bespoke EMS balancing generation, storage and demand within DNO export limits.
  • 3MW Solar PV across all viable rooftops and Bluetop carports (~7,500 Trina modules).
  • SolarEdge rooftop inverters and Solis hybrid inverters for optimised generation and control.
  • 650kWh PrimePower battery storage (six 109kWh units) operating in parallel for load‑shifting and peak‑shaving.
  • Bluetop solar carport structures with integrated EV chargers and inverter housing.
  • Phased installation (2020–2026) aligned with clinical operations and continued operations even during the pandemic.

Client testimonials

"By combining solar PV, innovative car park canopies, and battery storage, we're not just generating renewable electricity, we're building a more resilient hospital, reducing carbon emissions, and strengthening our energy resilience for the benefit of our patients, staff, and community."

Ben Huband

Estates Compliance & Energy Manager at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

"This should be the blueprint for all NHS organisations”

Nick Huband

Director of Estates, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

"If ZLC built hospitals, we’d use them. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work on this extremely worthwhile project for the Trust."

Mike Bowen

Capital Projects Manager, RJAH NHS Trust

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