Green Revolution in Polish Health Care: Innovative Step for Wolica Hospital

With the rising cost of living and the growing need to reduce carbon footprint, the medical sector is facing challenges that require innovative solutions. One of these is energy transformation and investment in renewable energy sources like photovoltaics (PV). The Provincial Specialised Healthcare Complex for Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis in Wolica, Poland, which has already been using a state-of-the-art photovoltaic system from SolarEdge for 12 months, took it one step futher.

• PV installation saves the hospital approximately PLN 200,000 per year, covering entirety of electricity demand from April to October
• Approximately 50% less maintenance costs due to PV system design
• Expected return on investment at current energy prices in approximately 4 years

The Provincial Specialist Healthcare Complex for Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis in Wolica takes a holistic approach to health, with environment and technology going hand-in-hand with treatment. Sustainability and climate action have been at the heart of the hospital for more than a decade, so it was an obvious decision for the facility to invest in a photovoltaic system.

The 199.8 kWp photovoltaic installation completed on the roofs of the hospital, covering an area of 968 m2, represents a key step towards energy self-sufficiency for the facility. Using 438 photovoltaic modules from BB-ECO and 6 inverters with SolarEdge Power Optimisers, a highly efficient system was created to adapt to the specific requirements of the medical facility. The investment was made possible thanks to EU funds obtained by the Marshal's Office of the Wielkopolska Region.

"We were guided by two important aspects when choosing a photovoltaic system. The first was the quality of the product and innovative technological solutions, and power optimisation, i.e. a system that allows the photovoltaic modules to produce the maximum amount of electricity. The reliability and trustworthiness of the company were also very important to us, hence - through a tender - we chose the installation company Aurelum and the SolarEdge solution," says Slawomir Wysocki, director of the hospital in Wolica.

The main objective of the installation was to significantly reduce the hospital's operating costs, reduce dependence on external energy suppliers and contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions. The decision to choose SolarEdge technology was dictated by the advanced safety features available in the company's solutions and the ability to optimise power, allowing the panels to operate at maximum capacity. Situated in a picturesque forest setting, the hospital overcame the challenges of shading by using SolarEdge's solutions to precisely monitor the installation, ensuring efficient PV system operation and a rapid return on investment, estimated at around four years.

The PV installation reaches about 78% of installed capacity, which is a very good result considering the specifics of the location. At this point, the savings resulting from the use of the installation reach a level of about PLN 200,000 per year, which significantly reduces operating costs. The investment covers the daily electricity demand, which allows the  cover of about 50% of the maintenance costs. Such results are a testament to how advanced SolarEdge technology can revolutionise energy management in the medical sector.

"The installation we had the opportunity to carry out was a huge challenge for us due to the complex infrastructure of the facility. We had to use as many as six different mounting systems, both on the roofs of the facilities and on the ground. Successfully realised, the investment makes a major positive contribution to combating climate change and reduces CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. And the use of innovative SolarEdge solutions allows us and the investor to fully supervise the operation of the photovoltaic system," says Mariusz Stempniak, co-owner of Aurelum.

Incorporating photovoltaics into the hospital's infrastructure not only translates into financial savings, estimated at around PLN 200,000 per year, and reduces its dependence on traditional energy sources, but also fits into the ESG (environment, society, governance) strategy, raising the environmental and social standards of the institution. It is worth noting that for medical facilities, where energy demand is constant and significant, photovoltaics can offer not only cost reduction but also greater energy indépendance and to promote the institution's image as a leader in innovation and environmental protection. Such investments are particularly beneficial for hospitals, where power continuity is crucial and energy costs represent a significant part of the operating budget.

"The implementation of this project provides valuable information for other hospitals and medical facilities considering investments in photovoltaics. The Wolica hospital proves that high-tech PV installations can significantly reduce operating costs, provide more energy indépendance and contribute to improving the quality of healthcare and environmental protection. 'Commitment and cooperation at all stages of the project, from planning to implementation, enabled the investment targets to be achieved, highlighting the role of renewable energy sources in creating a sustainable future for the medical sector,' - comments Michał Marona, Country Manager at SolarEdge Technologies Poland.

The hospital's pro-environmental activities are not going unnoticed. The hospital in Wolica was recognised in the Green Initiatives 2023 ranking for the modernisation of its infrastructure. It is also Poland's first member of Global Green and Healthy Hospitals, a network promoting sustainability in the health sector, where the hospital received two awards - the Climate Champion and the Gold Medal for building the facility's climate resilience. Through its membership of Global Green and Healthy Hospitals, the hospital in Wolica is setting a new standard for sustainability in the medical sector, inspiring other facilities to emulate these practices. It is a contribution to the wider discussion on the role of renewable energy in the health sector, highlighting the need to invest in green energy as part of a medical facility management strategy.