RenEnergy installs solar carport at University Hospital Wales

A multi-storey solar carport has been installed at University Hospital Wales in Cardiff by RenEnergy UK.

The project involved the full design, installation and commissioning of a solar carport system constructed on top of a live multi-storey car park. 

The installation sits directly beneath the operational flight path of the Air Ambulance helipad and next to a blue light emergency access lane at the lower level. Both assets remained fully operational for the entire duration of construction.

RenEnergy carried out the works through careful logistics planning, out of hours activities where appropriate, and close coordination with hospital stakeholders to maintain safe access to all non-working areas. 

Each phase was managed with patient care and hospital operations as the primary priority. This approach ensured zero disruption to clinical services, emergency routes or hospital visitors while enabling the delivery of a complex renewable energy asset within a constrained environment.

The completed system provides an installed capacity of 653.82 kWp across 1,282 solar modules, covering a PV surface area of 2,893 square metres and supported by 12 inverters. It is expected to generate 1,048.54 kWh per kWp annually and avoid approximately 102,148 kilograms of CO2 emissions each year.

The installation strengthens long term energy resilience, reduces exposure to volatile energy costs and supports National Health Service (NHS) net zero ambitions. 

The structure also offers practical estate benefits by supplying weather protection for staff, patients and visitors and making productive use of the existing car park footprint.

William Lloyd, senior project manager, RenEnergy UK, said: “Our delivery at University Hospital Wales shows that renewable infrastructure can be integrated into the most complex NHS environments when planned with absolute focus on patient care, emergency access and operational continuity. Every element of this installation was managed to protect critical services while providing the hospital with a long-term asset that supports energy resilience and measurable carbon reduction.

“The scheme demonstrates how renewable energy infrastructure can be delivered safely and effectively within high-risk clinical settings. It reflects RenEnergy’s capability to meet all relevant NHS standards, legislative obligations and safety requirements while operating in live environments where continuity of critical services is essential.”

Key fetaures

• System size: 653.82 kWp peak capacity
• Solar panels: 1,282 modules (comparable to a large warehouse roof)
• Area covered: 2,893 m² (around half a football pitch)
• Inverters: 12 units converting solar power into usable electricity

Energy generation

• Produces 1,048.54 kWh per kWp per year
• Generates enough electricity to power ~200 UK homes annually

Environmental impact

• ~102 tonnes of CO? avoided each year
• Equivalent to ~1,700 trees planted annually
• Or removing ~23 petrol cars from the road every year