Eastbourne District General Hospital has become the first hospital in the UK to install a solar car park.
Forming part of a £27mn energy management contract with Veolia Energy to upgrade the hospital and realise carbon savings of 4,129 tonnes per year, the new solar array is made up of 2,412 solar panels spread across eight canopies that cover 400 car parking spaces. It is capable of producing 1,000MWh renewable energy annually and is expected to cut CO2 emissions by 222 tonnes in its first year.
As well as these savings, further advantages include the way in which the solar car park addresses the need for workspace electric vehicle (EV) charging with 10 solar-powered EV charge points provided for staff use. The canopies also provide shelter and enhanced security given how they include overhead lighting.
