While the Waikato finally starts to bask in the summer sun, Braemar Hospital has embraced solar power to power its way into the next 100 years.
Thanks to the shared investment between Braemar Hospital and the Braemar Charitable Trust, nearly 280 solar panels have now been installed on the rooftop of the Ohaupo Rd-based hospital in Hamilton.
The panels will create 9% of Braemar’s energy, allowing it to offset its energy consumption by 2.5 million kilowatts per year. They will also offset 26.87 tonnes a year of CO2 emissions.
Trust Manager Paula Baker says “as shareholder, Braemar Charitable Trust is committed to supporting Braemar Hospital to identify opportunities to integrate sustainable business practices across its operational activities, and the installation of solar panels is a great example of a sustainable investment.”
Leigh Singers, Braemar Hospital’s General Manager Commercial Services says the hospital is obviously a larger consumer of power due to the nature of its services supporting nine operating theatres plus endoscopy suites and cathlabs, and 109 patient beds.
“We welcome innovation and investment that improves our site sustainability and the installation of solar panels to our main building assists greatly with offsetting of our current energy costs.
“It’s a positive joint effort between Braemar Charitable Trust and Braemar Hospital to consciously invest in sustainability and to be future focussed, all aligned with our strategic priorities.”
“Braemar Hospital is about to turn 100 next year, so it’s pretty cool to see a century on the embracement of solar energy to keep our doors open in a way that we care for our environment and our community at the same time.”
The expected payback on investment in the solar panels is eight years.
Braemar Hospital’s peak energy consumption periods are between November and March when summer cooling load is highest and there is higher consumption during daylight hours of 6am to 7pm.
From next year Braemar Hospital will be able to report on its actual, not predicted impact.
Leigh adds: “lots of people ask if we have a battery – but we haven’t got one as we will use all the power we generate, so there will be no surplus to store.”
The panels were purchased by the Braemar Charitable Trust and installed by Freenergy Solar Solutions, a New Zealand owned business specialising in solar installation since 2007, and members of the Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand.
As Braemar Hospital heads into its centenary year in 2026, it is great example of being relevant and sustainable for the future of our community and the environment.