How CHP Works Alongside Solar, Heat Pumps & Other Technologies to Support Net Zero

As organisations across the UK continue to set ambitious decarbonisation targets, many are exploring a range of low-carbon technologies, from solar PV to heat pumps and battery storage. But every site is different, and not all technologies provide the same value at all times of day, in all seasons or under varying operational demands.

For large, energy-intensive facilities such as hospitals, universities, leisure centres and local authorities, energy systems must be resilient, cost-effective and capable of delivering heat and power 24/7. This is where Combined Heat and Power (CHP) continues to play an important role, not by replacing low-carbon technologies, but by working alongside them to create a balanced, future-ready energy strategy.

CHP and Solar: Managing Intermittency and Demand Peaks

Solar PV is an excellent low-carbon technology, but its output varies with weather and daylight. For sites with high daytime electrical demand, such as hospitals and public buildings, solar can offset a significant share of annual consumption, but often cannot meet total site demand on its own, particularly at all times of day or year.

CHP complements solar by:

• Providing a more consistent balance of power during periods when solar output is reduced
• Providing stable power when solar output dips
• Reducing grid-import costs during winter and overcast days
• Offering predictable generation during peak-hour demand
• Making better use of self-generated electricity, reducing reliance on carbon-intensive grid power

This approach gives organisations the best of both worlds: renewable energy when sunlight is strong, and efficient on-site generation when it isn’t. 

CHP and Heat Pumps: A Practical Hybrid for Complex Heating Needs

Heat pumps are an important technology for decarbonising low-temperature heating, but for many public sector buildings, especially large hospitals with high, continuous heat loads, heat pumps alone can struggle to meet year-round output requirements without costly reinforcement work.

A CHP–heat pump combination allows organisations to:

• Use heat pumps for low-temperature heating base load
• Use CHP to reduce electrical load on the grid created by large heat pump installations
• Use CHP to support electricity peak demand
• Use CHP to support high-temperature process applications (e.g. steam), domestic hot water and space heating where required
• Use CHP to improve overall energy resilience during periods of high winter demand
• Create a phased pathway toward future decarbonisation, including hydrogen-ready CHP

This hybrid model is already being considered by several NHS estates teams as part of their long-term energy planning, helping achieve lower emissions without compromising clinical resilience.

CHP and Battery Storage: Smoothing Peaks and Maximising Savings

Battery storage can increase flexibility, but batteries alone do not generate energy. When paired with CHP:

• Batteries can store excess electricity generated during low-cost periods
• Stored power can be used during peak-price windows
• On-site supply becomes more stable and cost-effective
• Buildings gain additional redundancy during critical periods

This combination helps estates managers control energy costs while improving reliability.

CHP and District Heating: Supporting Low-Carbon Networks

For local authorities and multi-building campuses, CHP can provide:

• Stable baseload heat for district energy networks
• A base load power supply for adjacent buildings, helping reduce reliance on grid-imported electricity
• Flexibility as part of a mixed-technology system, including heat pumps and waste heat recovery
• The ability to support future hydrogen use as gas networks transition

It’s a practical, scalable solution that supports regional decarbonisation efforts.

The Future: Flexible, Integrated and Resilient

CHP continues to play a vital role in delivering resilience and efficiency, and integrates seamlessly with emerging technologies as part of a long-term strategy. As organisations look to combine solutions such as solar PV, heat pumps, thermal storage and smart controls, CHP provides the stable, controllable foundation that ensures these technologies perform reliably and cost-effectively.

Rather than choosing one technology over another, many public sector and large-scale sites benefit most from a pragmatic hybrid approach, where each technology does what it does best  and CHP fills the crucial gaps around reliability, heat load demand and 24/7 operation.