As part of an expanded scheme to fund solar panels for NHS sites, military sites and schools, 34 NHS trusts across England, including 10 already in programme, will receive funding from Great British Energy for new solar panels.

The trusts will install the panels at around 70 more sites. In total, the scheme will benefit around 260 sites.

It is estimated that energy bill savings over the panels' lifetime could reach up to £65 million for the trusts from this additional spend. 

The scheme already covers more than a third on NHS trusts in England.

Trusts will be able to power the health service with clean energy and also have the opportunity to sell leftover energy back to the grid.

Energy minister Michael Shanks said: "Great British Energy is helping your local hospital save money on its bills, to be reinvested into the frontline, from nurses to medical equipment.

"Across the country, solar panels are going up on rooftops or carpark canopies, to power operating theatres with clean, homegrown power.  

"This is our clean energy superpower mission in action, protecting our public services with lower bills and energy security."

Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said: "There is not just a moral case for this investment, but a pragmatic one too.

"Every pound the NHS spends on rising energy bills is money that can’t be spent on cutting waiting times.

"By modernising the NHS and cutting wasteful spending, including taking back control of our energy, we will get patients treated faster."