Causeway Hospital solar panels save £142,000 and cut 120 tonnes of carbon in first year

Causeway Hospital in Coleraine installed Northern Ireland's largest solar roof on a health building, with 2,300 panels generating 1.2 MWp. In its first year, the system saved roughly £142,000 on electricity costs and avoided about 120 tonnes of carbon emissions. The project was funded by the Department for the Economy and is part of the Northern Trust's broader net zero plans. The solar array produces enough renewable electricity to power around 200 average homes for a year. The Trust estimates the environmental benefit is comparable to the annual carbon absorption of 5,000 to 6,000 trees. Alongside this, the Trust has invested in LED lighting upgrades and boiler replacements to further cut emissions. For taxpayers, the upfront £1.2 million investment is expected to lower long-term hospital running costs. While patients may not notice the rooftop panels, the project shows how public sector renewable energy can reduce both operational expenses and carbon footprints.