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Osbourne Court
Care home solar panels installed by Spirit Energy for B&M Care Homes, 2025.

Why Care Homes Should Consider Solar Panels

An increasing number of care homes are choosing solar power. With energy being one of the largest expenses that care homes must contend with, and costs for energy rising considerably, it's no surprise that care home providers are looking at ways to lower energy costs and take back control.  Installing solar panels on care homes is a practical step that reduces energy bills, protects businesses against rising electricity prices, and shows commitment to sustainability.

Spirit Energy has installed solar panels on many care homes and hospices. We are currently in a partnership with B&M Care Homes to install solar panels at over 20 sites across the country. Spirit Energy has also installed solar panels for St Michael's Hospice in 2024 and St Peter's Hospice in 2018.

Contact Spirit Energy to explore solar panels for your business.

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Do Solar Panels Make Sense for Care Homes?

Care homes often have large, expansive roof spaces, which mean that solar can be installed very cost-effectively and deployed at scale.

The payback from a solar system is best when the generated solar electricity can be used immediately on site. Care homes use most power in the day for kitchens, laundry, lifts, lighting and heating, so the majority of solar generation is used immediately on-site and the business case for solar is very attractive.

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Does Solar Make Sense for Care Homes

Care Home Solar Installed by Spirit Energy for B&M Care Homes, 2025

Should Businesses Invest in Solar? - Spirit Energy YouTube Case Study.

St Michael's Hospice Energy Transition. 60 kWp Solar System Installed by Spirit Energy.

Care Home Solar Payback Period
Solar Panels Installed for St Michael's Hospice, 2024

What is the Payback Period for Care Home Solar?

Solar panels on care homes typically pay for themselves within 3 - 5 years. The solar system has a lifespan of over 25 years, meaning that once the system has paid for itself, it will continue to provide completely free electricity to the business for a further ~20 years. Spirit Energy has installed solar panels for many care homes and hospices which anticipate achieving an excellent ROI, including:

  Payback Period Internal Rate of Return (IRR)
St Michael's Hospice 4 years 30%
Wentworth Lodge (B&M Care Homes) 6 years 19%
Osbourne Court (B&M Care Homes) 5 years 24%

 

Enhancing Sustainability in Care Homes

Implementing sustainable practices in care homes offers substantial environmental benefits, including reduced carbon footprints, lower energy costs, and improved air quality, all of which contribute to a healthier living environment for residents.

For Osbourne Court, such initiatives can save up to 11,015 kg of CO₂ annually, equivalent to planting 500 trees each year.

care home lp1-1

Installed by Spirit Energy, 2025

FAQ's

Solar PV offers a wide range of benefits for care homes, both financially and operationally:

  • Very cost-effective – Installing solar panels can significantly reduce electricity bills, with savings starting from day one. Systems typically achieve a strong payback period, providing long-term financial security for the care home.

  • Ideal for high energy demand – Care homes operate around the clock, with heating, lighting, catering and medical equipment all driving usage. Solar PV helps offset this demand by generating clean power on-site, reducing reliance on the grid.

  • Low maintenance – Once installed, solar systems require minimal upkeep. Routine cleaning and inspections are straightforward, especially with professional support.

  • Stronger winter performance with batteries – When combined with battery storage, solar can supply evening and overnight demand, helping care homes make the most of generation even in winter when sunlight hours are shorter.

  • Improved resilience – With battery backup, care homes can maintain critical services during grid outages, providing additional reassurance for staff and residents.

  • Environmental benefits – Solar PV reduces carbon emissions and helps care homes demonstrate a clear commitment to sustainability, something increasingly valued by residents, families and regulators.

  • Future-proofing – Systems can be designed with expansion in mind, allowing care homes to increase capacity as demand grows or as budgets allow.

For care homes, solar PV is not only a way to cut costs but also a long-term investment in resilience and sustainability.

While solar PV has many advantages, there are some considerations that care homes should be aware of before committing to an installation:

  • Upfront investment – The initial cost of installing solar panels and (if required) battery storage can be significant. Although systems usually deliver strong payback, it still requires capital or financing.

  • Roof suitability – Not all care home buildings have roofs that are ideal for solar. Shading, orientation, roof condition and available space can all affect system size and output.

  • Variable generation – Solar panels only generate when the sun is shining, so output is lower in winter or during poor weather. Pairing with battery storage helps, but grid electricity will still be needed.

  • Aesthetic and planning considerations – In some cases, planning permission may be needed, particularly for listed buildings or sites in conservation areas. The visual impact of panels may also need to be considered.

  • Maintenance access – While panels are generally low-maintenance, care homes must ensure safe access for cleaning and occasional servicing, which can be more complex on large or tall buildings.

  • Grid connection limits – In some areas, local grid capacity may restrict the size of system that can be connected without additional upgrades or approvals.

Despite these challenges, most care homes find that the long-term financial and environmental benefits of solar outweigh the drawbacks, especially when systems are carefully designed to match the site’s needs.

Savings come from using your own solar power instead of buying from the grid, plus income from exporting surplus. As a guide, a 50 kWp system in the south of the UK might generate about 45,000 kWh a year. If a care home self-consumes 50 to 70 percent at an import rate of 20 to 30 p/kWh, that is roughly £4,500 to £9,500 off the bill each year, plus export income. Actual results depend on load profile, tariffs, system size, and shading.

Usually no. Roof-mounted solar on non-domestic buildings is generally permitted development if panels sit no more than 200 mm from the roof surface, do not exceed the roof ridge height, and are sited to minimise visual impact. Permission is likely needed if your care home is a listed building, in a conservation area, has wall-mounted arrays on principal elevations, or features prominent A-frame systems on flat roofs. The care home will also still need structural sign-off and DNO approval.

Solar PV installation time for care homes varies based on system size and roof layout, typically taking one to two weeks from scaffolding to commissioning with minimal disruption to daily operations. Note that applications to the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) and other necessary paperwork must be completed beforehand, extending the overall project timeline.

Yes, care homes can benefit from installing a battery by reducing reliance on the grid, cutting electricity costs, and making better use of solar energy generated during the day. However, batteries are not suitable for powering critical medical equipment, which must remain connected to an uninterrupted supply.

The 1st B&M Care Home Installation

In April 2025, Spirit Energy installed a 52.65 kWp solar PV system at Osbourne Court, a B&M care home.

The system is expected to generate 48,954 kWh of clean electricity and save £9,266 in the first year alone.

Spirit Energy is installing solar panels across the B&M Care Homes' entire portfolio of 22 care homes. 

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Osbourne Court - cs

Installed by Spirit Energy, 2025

wentworth lodge - cs

Installed by Spirit Energy, 2025

Case study

Spirit Energy will be publishing a series of case studies on the B&M Care Homes group, showcasing how solar installations are helping to reduce energy costs, cut carbon emissions and support the group’s wider sustainability goals.
Each case study will highlight a different home, providing insight into system design, installation, and the financial and environmental benefits achieved.

Solar PV Experts

With energy costs continuing to rise and the pressure to meet sustainability targets, switching to solar is a practical way to cut running expenses and show a clear commitment to greener operations.

Spirit Energy specialises in solar for care homes, offering clear advice on system design, expected performance and the financial returns you could achieve. We’ll help you make the most effective use of your roof area and tailor a solution that fits both your budget and long-term plans. Our installations are built with future expansion in mind, so you can add capacity as your needs grow.

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Vishal Giga - Vertical - Spirit Energy - Head of Operations

Vishal Giga
Operations Director

Joined Spirit in 2010

Vishal joined Spirit Energy a few months after Erica and Ian founded the business in 2010 as a project manager, and is now our Operations Director. All of our project managers and installers are in-house, and Vishal oversees them all and is in charge of making sure that every project goes smoothly and is installed on time. Vish has a wealth of experience with both commercial and residential projects, and directly manages every commercial project that we do, including our installations at Philip Dennis Foodservice in April 2024, and Hansgrohe's headquarters in September 2024.

Justin Parsons - Vertical - Spirit Energy - Head of Installations

Justin Parsons
Head of Installations

Joined Spirit in 2010

Justin is the backbone of the company and part of the leadership team. He has overall responsibility for the installers, electrical design and sign off of all systems as well doing a technical and structural survey for every project to ensure we can manage each job perfectly. His devotion and meticulous attention to detail has helped build Spirit into the reputable and trustworthy brand we are today. 

You will most likely meet Justin on your technical & structural survey where he will plan your entire installation and run you through every minute detail. 

"My ultimate goal is to ensure our operations run smoothly, delivering exceptional customer service and top-quality installations to every customer, domestic or commercial."

-Vishal Giga, Operations Director

"I know that the technical & structural survey is a step that other installers don't feel is necessary, but many of Spirit's customers appreciate the chance to talk to the actual installers before the installation date."

-Justin Parsons, Head of Installations

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