SOLAR PV
diligence should be applied before any appointment: n Framework accreditation is non-negotiable for compliant NHS procurement.
n NHS or healthcare-sector references are important as live clinical environments require specific operational protocols that not every installer understands.
n A directly employed installation workforce reduces quality and programme risk associated with subcontractor-heavy models.
n Financial stability. NHS Trusts should request recent accounts or a credit report.
n Installers who have been trading for five or more years are less likely to go out of business during the installation and aftercare processes.
n System warranties should be minimum 25 years on panels, 10 years on workmanship.
n Post-installation O&M capability, as the installer should be able to maintain what they build.
North Walsham Hospital – East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust.
Procurement A project can be technically sound, financially approved, and still fail to deliver because procurement takes too long. For projects tied to funding windows, the procurement timeline can be the deciding factor between delivery and loss of grant. Open and restricted tenders have their place. They are also slow – typically two to four months from market engagement to contract award. For a project with a six- week deadline, that is not an option.
The case for frameworks Procurement frameworks allow estates teams to move significantly faster, with suppliers that have already been assessed. The NHS SBS Decarbonisation of Estates Framework is particularly well suited to solar PV projects for several reasons:9 n It is fully compliant under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR), which recognises framework agreements established under PCR 2015.
n It includes PAS 2038 compliance, the standard for energy-efficient retrofit of non-domestic buildings, required by many NHS and government funding streams.
n Direct award from the framework can be completed in as little as two to five weeks; a mini competition takes five to 10 weeks.
n The framework runs until January 2029, providing a stable procurement vehicle for a multi-year decarbonisation programme.
For Trusts working to short funding windows, frameworks can significantly reduce procurement timescales.
Choosing an installer MCS accreditation confirms technical competence but does not validate healthcare-sector experience, commercial scale, or financial stability. The following due
n DBS-checked engineers are essential for access to clinical areas.
Installation Solar on a hospital can be technically difficult. However, doing it without disrupting clinical services is more challenging. Programmes can run from a few weeks to a few months, depending on system size and complexity. Typical activities include access works, mounting systems, panel installation, electrical works, integration with fire safety systems, and commissioning. Live hospital environments add practical constraints,
from access routes and delivery times to crane lifts and planned shutdowns. These issues are manageable, but only when addressed before work starts. Clear site information, including red routes, delivery windows, helipad operations, asbestos records, and roof ownership, helps contractors plan safely and avoid delays.
Case study 2 n Delivery within a tight funding window for
East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust
When the Trust identified a funding opportunity with a tight delivery deadline, the key to success was preparation already in place before the application was submitted. Site surveys had been conducted. Structural assessments were available. A compliant contractor (Carbon3) had been identified via the NHS SBS framework. From contract award to commissioning, the installation was completed within the six week funding window without disruption to clinical services. The Trust now benefits from over 1 megawatt of solar PV across 7 sites, saving them over £240,000 per year.
After installation Once the system is live, attention tends to move elsewhere. However, performance drops can go undetected if nobody is monitoring. A fault in one part of the system can reduce output across a wider area. Dirt, debris, and minor electrical faults all compound.
A monitored system provides real-time visibility at panel, string, or inverter level. Any drop in output is identifiable immediately, and an engineer can be dispatched.
116 Health Estate Journal October 2026
Warranty Maintenance: All of the components of a solar PV system should come with warranties, including the panels, workmanship, mounting system, and inverter/s. It is important your team keep warranty documents, and make a note of the warranty period. Solar PV equipment is rarely faulty, but losing warranty documents means no recourse if there is an issue. Your installer can look after your warranty management, usually under an operations and maintenance (O&M)
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