Solar PV at St. Mary’s campus in Phoenix Park

Background

St. Mary’s campus in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, covers about 32 acres and is home to many HSE buildings of different sizes and ages. It is one of the largest providers of older person services nationally, including St. Mary’s Hospital, a rehabilitation centre and a residential service. The HSE Green Team has been working on several projects to upgrade the buildings on campus over the past few years.

The project

In 2022, the Green Team began work at the National Ambulance Centre in Phoenix Hall. They upgraded all the lighting to LED, which not only uses much less energy than the old incandescent bulbs but also provides better illumination.

In 2023, they took advantage of the large south-facing roof and installed solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. They first inspected the roof, carried out necessary repairs, and then installed 100kw of solar panels over a three-month period. These panels now generate enough electricity to cut costs across the entire site by an impressive 5%.

While generating renewable electricity was a key goal, the Green Team also aimed to reduce the energy needed to heat the building. To achieve this, they fitted external wall insulation, which has made the building warmer and more comfortable for staff.

The 100-bed unit at St. Mary’s Hospital also offered a suitable location for solar PV panels. Although smaller than Phoenix Hall, the team installed 50kw of panels, which generate about half the electricity. They also replaced the windows to reduce heat loss and eliminate draughts.

Results

According to management, everyone involved brought enthusiasm and a positive attitude, which helped the energy upgrades happen almost seamlessly. The Green Team, energy officers, staff, and hospital management all played vital roles through teamwork and collaboration.

Many people faced unfamiliar territory, especially since the upgrades took place on a hospital campus that serves vulnerable individuals and operates continuously, day and night.

The solar panels now deliver the following savings:

• 5.31% annual energy reduction (from 1,784,804 kWh to 1,694,799 kWh)
• 5.31% annual CO₂ reduction (from 617.19 kg CO₂ to 586.06 kg CO₂)

These solar projects will pay for themselves in just five years.

The Green Team’s efforts have made a strong impact. Their enthusiasm has inspired behavioural changes, such as switching off lights, which can reduce energy use by up to 10%. Educating staff about these habits proves worthwhile.

The HSE aims to cut energy-related emissions by 50% before 2030. St. Mary’s Campus has already achieved a 43% reduction and remains on track to meet the target well ahead of schedule.

What’s next?

The Green Team plans to install Solar PV on the 50-bed unit building next. 

Pathfinder programme

This project was supported by SEAI’s pathfinder programme. Through this programme, SEAI partners with public bodies, such as the HSE, to achieve their retrofit goals. We do this by building capacity and knowledge within the sector.