A Care Home That Never Switches Off
Care homes run all day and all night. Lights stay on. Heating stays on. Equipment stays on. That means the electricity bill never really rests either.
That was the challenge Seymour Care Homes brought to us. They needed a solar power system strong enough to lower their daytime running costs. And they needed the solar installation done without disturbing daily life inside a busy, occupied care home.
We delivered both.
The Solar System We Installed
This was a large-scale solar project, not a small rooftop add-on. Here’s what went into it:
- 129 Aiko all-black solar panels, forming a 60 kW solar array
- One 50kW SolarEdge inverter, running the whole system
- Panel-level optimisation on every single module
- Careful roof work, planned around a live, occupied care home
- Full wiring and testing, checked and signed off before handover
Why the Inverter Choice Matters
On a system this size, the inverter is just as important as the panels. We chose a 50kW SolarEdge inverter to match the 60kW array. This gives the system room to run efficiently. It also keeps everything working through one reliable, well-tested unit. No need to stitch together several smaller inverters. Just one strong system, built to last.
Why Every Panel Has Its Own Optimiser
With 129 solar panels covering a large roof, panel-level optimisation isn’t optional. It’s essential.
Here’s why. If one panel gets shaded by a vent, a chimney, or the sun’s angle at a certain time of day, that panel won’t drag down the others around it. Each panel works on its own. On a system this size, that adds up to real gains in energy output.
Solar Installation on a Live, Occupied Site
Care homes are not easy places to carry out building work. Residents and staff need calm, quiet, and routine. So we planned every step of the roof work around how the home actually operates day to day.
We managed access carefully. We kept noise to a minimum. And once the panels were up, we moved into wiring and commissioning with the same level of care. The full system was tested thoroughly before we signed off and handed it over, ready to run.
System at a Glance
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Solar Panels | 129 x Aiko all-black modules |
| Array Size | 60kW |
| Inverter | 50kW SolarEdge |
| Optimisation | SolarEdge optimisers on every panel |
| Installation | Full roof install, wiring, and commissioning |
| Site Type | Operational care home |
What This Solar System Delivers
- A large, fully optimised solar array that performs well even with partial shading
- A major cut in daytime grid electricity use for a site that runs non-stop
- One properly sized inverter, managing the full system with ease
- A smooth installation process, with minimal disruption to residents and staff
Why Clients Choose Us for Commercial Solar Projects
We plan around how your site actually runs. Not just how the roof looks on paper.
We use SolarEdge optimisation where it counts. Especially on sites with shading or a complex roof layout.
We size the inverter to match the array. Properly, not just picking the cheapest option.
We test and commission every job fully. Nothing gets left half-finished.
Solar Power Built for Healthcare and Care Settings
Care settings bring extra challenges to any building project. Getting a solar installation right means thinking about residents, staff, and daily routines. Not just kilowatts and optimisers.
Seymour Care Homes now runs on a 60kW solar array that works quietly in the background. For a site like this, that’s exactly what good energy infrastructure should do.
How much does a 60kW solar system cost to run a care home?
Running costs drop sharply once the system is live. A 60kW solar array can cover a large share of daytime electricity use, which is when care homes draw the most power.
Can solar panels be installed without disrupting a care home?
Yes. With careful planning, roof access and noise can be managed around normal daily routines. Residents and staff should barely notice the work is happening.
What is panel-level optimisation, and why does it matter?
Panel-level optimisation means each solar panel operates independently, rather than as part of a single linked chain. If one panel is shaded or underperforming, it won’t drag down the output of the surrounding panels. This matters most on large or complex roofs.
Why use a single large inverter instead of several smaller ones?
A single, well-sized inverter is simpler to maintain and monitor. It also tends to run more efficiently than multiple smaller units working together, especially on large commercial solar installations.
Is solar power a good fit for healthcare and care settings?
Yes. Care homes run continuously and use a lot of daytime power, which makes them well suited to solar. The main challenge is installation, not performance, and that’s solved with careful planning.
Ready to Power Your Site with Solar?
Whether you need your first solar installation or a large-scale system like this one, we’re ready to help. From planning through to commissioning, we handle every stage with care.
Book a free site assessment today and see what solar could do for your site.