Thanks to an investment by Braemar Charitable Trust, Braemar Hospital is now embracing solar energy to power its way into the future.

The Trust purchased nearly 280 solar panels earlier this year which have now been installed on the rooftop of the hospital’s Ohaupo Road site in Hamilton.

The panels will generate 9% of Braemar’s energy, allowing it to offset its energy consumption by 2.5 million kilowatts per year. They will also offset 26.87 tonnes a year of carbon dioxide emissions, and the expected payback on investment in the solar panels is eight years.

Part of Braemar Charitable Trust’s expectation as 100% shareholder of the hospital is to encourage environmental sustainability across its operational activities, and Trust Manager Paula Baker says the installation of the panels is a great example of this.

“Braemar Hospital is constantly looking for ways to integrate sustainable business practices, something that has become even more relevant as the hospital celebrates its 100th year in 2026. The solar panels is a great example of the Braemar Group working together to advance its sustainability outcomes.”

Braemar Hospital supports nine operating theatres, plus endoscopy suites and cathlabs and 109 patient beds. Leigh Singers, Braemar’s General Manager Commercial Services says the hospital is a large consumer of power due to the nature of its services and welcomes this latest innovation and investment into improving the hospital’s sustainability.

“It’s a positive joint effort between the trust and hospital to consciously invest in sustainability in a future-focused way, which also aligns with our strategic priorities,” she says.

Braemar Hospital’s peak energy consumption period is between November and March, when summer cooling load is highest, and the highest consumption occurs in daylight hours between 6am and 7pm.

Leigh says from next year, Braemar will also be able to report on its actual, not predicted, impact.

“We also don’t have a battery because we will use all the power we generate - there won’t be any surplus to store.”

The panels were installed by Freenergy Solar Solutions, a New Zealand owned business specialising in solar installation since 2007 and members of the Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand.