Powering net zero in housing and healthcare

July 25, 2025

image: ©Lari Bat | iSock

Steve Norman from Sustain Commercial Solar Ltd guides us through a smarter approach to sustainability when it comes to powering net zero in housing and healthcare

Body copy: As the UK accelerates its transition toward a net-zero carbon future, public sector organisations – particularly within housing and healthcare – face rising pressure to lead by example. Sustain Commercial Solar is at the forefront of this shift, whose mission is to empower businesses, councils, and government agencies to become more sustainable, energy-resilient, and financially independent.

By leveraging the potential of solar energy, battery storage, and energy market participation, Sustain is transforming how public sector estates manage power – cutting carbon, reducing costs, and, in many cases, generating revenue.

The decline of fossil fuels and the case for renewables

Traditional electricity generation, heavily reliant on fossil fuels, has become increasingly untenable. Global events have exposed the UK’s vulnerability to supply disruptions and price volatility, with energy prices fluctuating dramatically in recent years. This dependency on limited and geopolitically sensitive resources, controlled by a small number of global players, places considerable strain on public finances – especially in sectors like social housing and healthcare, where budgets are already stretched.

Renewable energy offers a critical path forward. It reduces exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets, lowers long-term costs, and supports national and local decarbonisation goals. For large-scale property holders like housing associations and NHS trusts, the opportunity to transition to clean energy has never been more urgent – or more achievable.

Beyond solar: Combining storage and market access

Solar power has long been part of the sustainability conversation. However, modern advances in battery storage and access to wholesale energy markets are unlocking significantly greater value.

While solar panels alone help lower daytime energy costs and carbon emissions, their impact is limited without the ability to store excess energy or participate in the broader energy market. Sustain Commercial Solar bridges this gap. By integrating solar PV with on-site battery storage and virtual power plant (VPP) technology, Sustain transforms buildings from passive consumers into active energy participants.

This allows organisations to:

Store surplus solar energy for use during peak demand periods.
Sell unused power to the grid when prices are high.
Avoid purchasing electricity when prices spike.
Support the national grid during periods of high stress.

This integrated model cuts emissions and turns energy assets into revenue generators – supporting financial sustainability alongside environmental goals.

Meeting the net zero challenge in housing and health

Social landlords and healthcare providers face significant challenges in decarbonising their operations. Social housing tenants are particularly vulnerable to fuel poverty, while many NHS facilities operate from ageing estates with inefficient, high-carbon energy systems. Despite ambitious sustainability commitments, these organisations often lack the capital required for large-scale infrastructure upgrades.

Solar PV has played a part in easing these pressures, particularly through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) that allow organisations to adopt solar technology with minimal upfront investment. However, standalone solar systems offer limited savings, especially when buildings operate outside of daylight hours.

Sustain’s model addresses this head-on, bundling solar generation, battery storage, and market participation into a seamless, fully financed package. Organisations can unlock clean energy solutions at zero upfront cost by using future energy market revenues to fund initial installation costs.

Proven success: Real-world impact across the UK

Sustain’s work already delivers significant results across the public and private sectors. To date, the company has installed more than 220 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity, resulting in:

Over £647 million in lifetime client savings.
More than 1.26 billion kilograms of carbon emissions avoided.

Key success stories include:

Linear Plastics, which now offsets more than 100,000 kg of CO₂ annually, saves millions of pounds over the lifetime of its solar installation.
Dorset Council has saved £8.5 million to date, cut annual carbon emissions by 477,907 kg, and achieved 30% energy self-sufficiency.
Island Health, with 43,468 kg of CO₂ offset annually and 27% self-sufficiency.
Sheffcare, which saves £832,500 over the system’s life while meeting 54% of its energy needs from solar.

Perhaps most notably, the Community Energy Scheme (CES) in Stoke-on-Trent – one of the UK’s largest social housing solar programmes – has equipped nearly 5,000 council homes with solar panels. The scheme has reduced tenant energy bills while significantly cutting local emissions, setting a powerful precedent for other housing associations.

Healthcare’s unique energy demands

Hospitals and care facilities have critical, round-the-clock energy needs. Power interruptions are not just inconvenient – they can be life-threatening. Sustain’s systems offer emissions reductions, cost savings, and energy resilience, with battery backup solutions that ensure continuous power.

Using VPP technology, Sustain coordinates energy usage across multiple sites. Batteries are charged when energy is inexpensive or plentiful and discharged when it’s costly or scarce. This strategic approach lowers energy bills, mitigates exposure to price spikes, and enhances the stability of the UK power grid.

Why the right partner matters

Implementing clean energy infrastructure in complex environments like hospitals and housing estates requires more than just technology. It demands a partner with:

• Deep sector knowledge.
• Strong technical capability.
• Robust stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Expertise in compliance, regulation, and long-term asset management.

Sustain brings all of this and more. Their hands-on experience in delivering large-scale renewable projects across diverse public sector estates ensures smooth execution from planning through to long-term operation.

By removing risk and complexity, Sustain enables housing and healthcare providers to focus on their core missions – delivering safe, affordable homes and world-class healthcare – while making meaningful progress toward sustainability targets.

A smarter, more equitable energy future

Transitioning to renewable energy is not just an environmental imperative but a strategic opportunity. For housing associations, solar and storage systems offer a way to reduce tenant bills, enhance energy efficiency, and meet regulatory obligations. For NHS trusts and care providers, they deliver cost savings, energy security, and operational resilience.

Most importantly, this transition can now be achieved without upfront capital, thanks to innovative financing models and revenue-sharing agreements. With Sustain as a partner, rooftops are no longer wasted space – they’re productive, income-generating energy hubs powering the next generation of public services.