Dulas Solar award for solar powered hospital

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Nov 18, 2005

Dulas Solar recently installed 60kW of grid connected Kyocera solar photovoltaic modules at Bronllys Hospital in Breacon.

Dulas Solar recently installed 60kW of grid connected Kyocera solar photovoltaic modules at Bronllys Hospital in Breacon.

The solar photovoltaic power has led to the Hospital being short listed for the most prestigious health services award in the UK.

Nominated by Mid Wales Energy Agency, Bronllys was selected from 800 applicants, to be part of a select five, in the 'Good corporate citizenship' category.

The solar power on the hospital has generated 45MWh of electricity since being installed in March 2005.

Combined with savings 55MWh from energy efficiency measures and awareness - the total carbon reduction has been over 40 tonnes of CO2.

The equivalent of 33 return transatlantic flights.

The 'Good corporate citizenship' category looks for a wider economic benefit to the project, and positive impacts on the local community.

David Birch of Powys Local Health Board said: "I am delighted that Bronllys has been recognised for it's contribution to a cleaner, greener provision of health care in Wales".

"The project has delivered a constant encouragement for staff, visitors and patients alike to minimise energy use".

"The solar photovoltaics have resulted in a number of enquiries from the public about power for their own homes" Key to the projects success was the use of local installers working with Dulas, the Machynlleth based renewable energy company.

The key experience earned during the Bronllys installation has supported the expansion of their businesses into the booming renewable energy market in Wales.

The Health Minister, Brian Gibbons, AM will officially launch the project for the Powys Local Health Board on Tuesday 8th November 2005.

The project received funding from the EU Objective 2 programme and the DTI major development programme for photovoltaics.