General adaptable framework for developing guidelines for the implementation of solar energy systems in hospital networks

Abstract

Hospitals are energy-intensive buildings, but they also have potential for applying strategies for solar energy use (SSEU), such as photovoltaic systems (PVS) and/or solar thermal systems (STS). However, existing regulations and incentive schemes rarely consider the specific conditions of healthcare networks, where centralized management, heterogeneous building typologies, and strict sanitary requirements shape energy use. This study proposes a general and adaptable framework to guide the implementation of SSEU in hospital networks. The framework includes the selection of hospital facilities, definition of objectives, diagnosis of current energy and sanitary conditions, assessment of existing systems, formulation of SSEU, and evaluation of energy, environmental, and economic impacts. The methodology is applied to the provincial hospital network of the Micro-Region Gran La Plata (Buenos Aires, Argentina), focusing on replacing natural gas consumption for domestic hot water (DHW) with STS. The analysis incorporates architectural and operational data, DHW demand estimation, theoretical performance of STS using the F-Chart method, and a simplified economic evaluation. Three goals guide the assessment: compliance with WHO recommendations for Legionella prevention, a 27% reduction in GHG emissions, and economic viability. Results show that two strategies combining STS with existing or efficient water heating systems meet the proposed objectives. The study highlights that low natural gas prices and high upfront costs of STS remain major barriers, suggesting the need for targeted subsidies and policy instruments. The proposed framework provides a replicable tool for decision-makers to design energy transition policies in healthcare infrastructure and to promote the broader adoption of renewable energy in public buildings.