INDUSTRY INSIGHTS FEBRUARY 2026: Case Study - How SEE-Solar Supported HC-One’s Transition to Net-Zero

Installing solar panels is straightforward on an empty building. Delivering renewable energy infrastructure on fully operational care homes, is not. This was the challenge facing HC-One, the UK’s largest care home provider, as it looked for ways to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs across its portfolio of nearly 300 homes, without compromising the safe, caring environments that residents depend on.

Seven care homes across South Wales, the South-West, Manchester and Scotland were identified as suitable for rooftop solar PV. But selecting the sites was only the first step. The real question was how to deliver solar in live care settings with zero disruption, absolute safety and clear financial return.

HC-One appointed SEE-Solar as its delivery partner, drawing on the company’s experience as an MCS-certified provider of end-to-end solar solutions for commercial organisations. From initial assessment through to commissioning, SEE-Solar’s role was to managing the design, procurement, and delivery of these systems with full sensitivity to the operational requirements of the live care home environments.

The programme began with detailed site surveys and a pilot installation. Once the approach was proven, SEE-Solar delivered the remaining six sites within a six-week period. Across the seven sites, more than 1,190 solar panels were installed, allowing HC-One to generate renewable energy on site and reduce reliance on grid electricity. Each system installed was bespoke to the site, for example at Woodside Court, 239 panels created a 102.77 kilowatt-peak system with a projected payback period of just 4.3 years and an estimated lifetime saving of £750,000. Across all sites, investments are expected to pay back within four to five years.

Performance and reliability were built into every installation. High-performance inverters and optimisers were installed alongside a centralised monitoring platform, giving HC-One clear, real-time visibility of generation, fault detection and energy trends across the portfolio. Ongoing monitoring and maintenance support ensures the systems continue to perform efficiently over their lifespan.

Delivering at pace across live care environments required careful coordination. SEE-Solar worked closely with site managers, managed custom system design and DNO approvals, controlled logistics and procurement, and planned access routes, scaffolding and working hours in detail. Resident safety and protection were central throughout, with the delivery approach ultimately commended by an independent HSE consultant.

This project demonstrates that solar can be delivered successfully in even the most sensitive operational settings when projects are planned around people, not just buildings. By partnering with SEE-Solar, HC-One has taken a significant step towards its net-zero ambitions, reducing energy costs and carbon emissions while continuing to put resident care first.

To find out more about SEE-solar please and our approach to projects please visit https://www.see-solar.co.uk/approach