Orchid House Surgery in Ferndown, Dorset, partnered with ProStar Energy to install a 32 kWp solar system on their surgery building. GP practices face significant and unavoidable energy demands, with clinical equipment, lighting, ventilation, and heating running throughout every working day.
Rising energy costs put real pressure on practice budgets, making solar an increasingly practical solution. This installation was designed to offset those costs meaningfully, delivering strong financial returns alongside a measurable reduction in the surgery's carbon footprint.
Client: Orchid House Surgery
System Size: 32 kWp
Cost: £28,416
Annual Savings: £7,880
Estimated Payback Period: 3 years 6 months (27.7% ROI)
Carbon Offset: 6 tonnes CO₂ annually
Challenges and Solutions
Installing solar panels on a working medical practice requires careful scheduling to avoid any disruption to patient services. Our team planned the installation around the surgery's operating hours, ensuring works were carried out with minimal impact on the building and its occupants.
A thorough site survey ahead of the project allowed us to design a system that made the best use of the available roof space, maximising output for the surgery's daytime energy profile.
Key Results
The 32 kWp system at Orchid House Surgery is now generating clean energy that directly offsets the practice's considerable daytime consumption, with the results speaking for themselves.
Annual savings of around £7,880 represent a 27.7% return on investment, with full payback expected in just 3 years and 6 months. For an NHS or private practice managing tight operational budgets, that is a genuinely compelling financial case. Every pound saved on energy is a pound that can be directed back into patient care and practice operations.
The environmental outcome is equally positive. The system offsets 6 tonnes of CO₂ annually, supporting the growing expectation for healthcare providers to demonstrate credible progress on sustainability. GP practices are increasingly under pressure to reduce their environmental impact, and this installation provides a straightforward, measurable way to do exactly that.
With high-quality components selected for long-term reliability and ProStar Energy's aftercare service in place, Orchid House Surgery can expect strong, consistent performance from their system for decades ahead.
Conclusion
Orchid House Surgery is a clear example of how commercial solar can deliver rapid, meaningful returns for healthcare settings. The combination of high daytime energy use and a well-matched system size creates the ideal conditions for solar to perform at its best, and the numbers reflect that.
ProStar Energy managed the entire project from initial survey through to installation and ongoing support, ensuring the process was straightforward and caused no disruption to the practice. With over 50 years of expertise and a five-star reputation for delivery, we understand how to work within operational environments where reliability and minimal disruption are essential.
To find out what solar could achieve for your practice or commercial property, get in touch with our team on 03316 302 225 or complete our contact form to arrange a free site survey. From maintenance and servicing to battery storage and EV charging, we’ve got all your solar needs covered.
