MP Sarah Wollaston visited a South Hams health centre to mark the official launch of its new solar panels and LED lighting which will reduce carbon emissions by three tonnes.

South Brent Health Centre is set to make significant energy savings following the recent installation of solar panels and LED lighting, which will also cut its carbon emissions and generate a small income for the practice that can be used toward further energy-saving measures. Around 80% of the electricity generated at the site is expected to be used by the health centre itself. 

The work has been paid for by a grant from the South Brent Community Energy Society and was carried out by SunGift Energy.. Dr Sarah Wollaston MP officially launched the new solar energy system when she visited the GP practice on Friday, March, 16.

During the visit the MP explained her plans to achieve greater integration of the Health and Social Care systems in Parliament. She also heard about local health service matters from a number of Practice staff and discussed wider community issues concerning sustainability. A cake, baked by Deputy Practice Manager Dawn Warnes-Hunt and decorated with a renewable energy theme, helped celebrate the occasion. 

Afterwards, Dr Wollaston tweeted: “Thank you #SouthBrent Community Energy Society @SustainableSB for installing solar panels on the Health Centre & for a great meeting with the practice team to discuss taking forward other projects to benefit those at risk of hospital admission”

She said: "It is wonderful that all the team working at South Brent Community Energy has allowed the benefits to be shared with the health centre. I hope others will feel inspired to find out more." 

Anna Keene, Practice Manager said: "The GP partners and practice staff are extremely grateful to South Brent Community Energy Society for providing a grant for both projects for the health centre. Their generosity, encouragement and guidance are most appreciated and we look forward to seeing the results of our energy savings in the future" 

SBCES director, Francis Macnaughton, said: “From my experience as a solar PV surveyor, it was clear that the health centre was, perhaps, the most promising site in the village for this sort of system and it is even more satisfying that such an important local facility can receive the direct benefit so effectively.”

Joddy Chapman, SBCES Company Secretary said; “It is great to see the idea from 12 years ago of a community-owned wind turbine supporting energy saving and generation projects in the parish coming to fruition. If the wind turbine continues to perform as well as it has we can look forward to making grants totalling around £20,000 each year for quite a while yet. We encourage other South Brent organisations to come forward and discuss with us their ideas for saving or generating energy.” 

The health centre is one of many buildings in South Brent that have benefited from the community energy fund. To date, more than £70,000 has been allocated for energy improvements to the Village Hall, the Old School Centre, St Petroc’s Church and the church rooms.

The possibility of a community owned wind turbine in South Brent was first suggested in 2006. The idea was taken up as a key project by Sustainable South Brent when it formed as a community group later that year. After various technical studies and supporting work, planning permission for a 225 kW Vestas V27 was granted by SHDC in 2010. South Brent Community Energy Society was founded in 2011 to raise the funds and operate the turbine. It benefits the community by generating renewable energy and promoting energy efficiency measures. 

The team hopes to helping many more community buildings and projects through the community energy fund. To find out more about SBCES please visit www.sbces.org.uk.