Introduction
St Matthews Care Home, part of the B&M Care Homes group, has taken a significant step towards improving both its financial resilience and environmental performance through the installation of a large-scale solar PV system. With energy-intensive operations running around the clock, the home required a solution that could reduce reliance on the grid while delivering long-term savings.
Care homes operate continuously. Heating, hot water, catering, laundry facilities, medical equipment and lighting all contribute to consistently high electricity demand. Against a backdrop of rising and volatile energy prices, generating clean electricity on-site presented a practical and forward-thinking solution.
By investing in solar, St Matthews Care Home is strengthening its energy independence, reducing operational costs, and supporting B&M Care Homes’ wider sustainability objectives.
System Design
The installed system is a 98.74 kWp rooftop solar PV array made up of 217 455 W Trina Solar panels. The panels are installed across the pitched roof areas using the K2 Tile mounting system for concrete tiles.
Power conversion is delivered by a three-inverter configuration to suit the site’s three-phase supply and split roof layout:
- 1 x Solis-80K-5G-PRO
- 1 x Solis-30K-S5
- 1 x Solis-3P20K-S5
For monitoring and accurate import/export measurement, the system includes Solis metering using an SDM630-Modbus-MID meter.
Based on the system modelling in the quote, the array is forecast to generate roughly 85,000 kWh per year.
Installation Highlights
The project began with a full technical survey, including structural assessments and a Distribution Network Operator application to secure grid connection approval. The installation qualified under permitted development, meaning no full planning application was required.
Spirit Energy’s in-house commercial installation team delivered the project efficiently and with minimal disruption to residents and staff. Key highlights included:
- Careful scheduling to avoid interference with daily care operations
- Neat cable routing through existing risers and plant areas
- Secure roof access and edge protection systems
- Full commissioning and performance verification on completion
Safety and compliance were prioritised throughout, with the installation meeting all MCS standards and relevant commercial electrical regulations.
The result is a discreet yet powerful renewable energy system that integrates seamlessly into the building’s infrastructure.
Financial and Environmental Benefits
The system is forecast to generate 85,723 kWh of electricity per year, displacing grid imports during the day when the care home’s demand is highest.
- First-year annual benefits: £17,830
- Payback period: 6 years
- Internal rate of return (IRR): 20%
- Net present value (NPV): £329,646
- Cumulative savings (year 1 to year 20): £441,853
The system is also forecast to reduce carbon emissions by 11,658 kg of CO2 in the first year, supporting B&M Care Homes’ wider sustainability targets.
Conclusion
The solar PV installation at St Matthews Care Home demonstrates how healthcare and residential care providers can align financial prudence with environmental responsibility.
By generating clean electricity on-site, the home has reduced operating costs, improved energy resilience, and made a measurable contribution to carbon reduction.
This project reinforces a simple truth: commercial solar is not just an environmental statement. It is a strategic investment that protects organisations from energy price volatility while delivering long-term, tangible returns.
For care providers with high daytime electricity demand and suitable roof space, solar represents one of the most practical and impactful sustainability measures available today.
