Cumnor Hall is a 31‑bedroom residential care home operated by CrossReach, providing specialist support for older adults living with dementia. Set within a quiet residential neighbourhood, the home looks out across the former racecourse sports fields, with well‑maintained gardens to the sides and rear. The setting offers a calm and reassuring environment, supporting both residents’ wellbeing and the day‑to‑day delivery of care.
At Cumnor Hall, the objective was to introduce onsite renewable energy generation in a way that complemented the needs of a live dementia care setting. As part of CrossReach’s wider transition towards low‑carbon energy across its estate, the project reflects a focus on careful design, dependable delivery, and long‑term value, while maintaining the high standards required in a sensitive care environment.
The rooftop solar PV installation was completed in March 2026. Through close coordination and a considered approach to safety and quality assurance, the system was delivered without disruption to residents or staff, adding reliable onsite renewable generation to a building dedicated to residential care and support.
By generating clean electricity onsite, the system helps reduce the environmental impact of the building while supporting the continued operation of residential dementia care services.
Estimated annual generation: 25.31 MWh
Estimated CO₂ savings: 4.89 tonnes per year
Equivalent to: approximately 225 trees planted annually
System size: 29.12 kWp
Panels: 64 × JA Solar 455 W modules
Inverter: 1 × SolarEdge 20 kW inverter with optimisers
Monitoring: SolarEdge import/export monitoring
Additional safety measures: Arcbox protection
As with other CrossReach sites, a consistent design and quality assurance approach was applied. The system was designed in line with RC62 guidance as far as practicable and was independently inspected by an external Clerk of Works during installation and on completion.
The solar PV system at Cumnor Hall was developed under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) structure, with Eco-Congregation Scotland owning the solar PV asset and supplying the electricity generated onsite to CrossReach.
The project was supported by CARES funding as part of the wider CrossReach solar programme. This approach enables:
By combining CARES support with a PPA model, the project delivers long‑term value for both the host organisation and the community energy partner, while supporting practical decarbonisation across specialist care settings.
The Cumnor Hall project demonstrates how CARES‑supported solar PV can be successfully delivered in specialist residential care environments through careful planning, robust quality assurance, and an appropriate commercial model.
The installation provides dependable low‑carbon energy while aligning with the operational, safety, and wellbeing requirements of a dementia care setting, supporting Crossreach’s wider commitment to sustainability and long‑term resilience.
