This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald.

Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital in Sidlesham has saved £3,000 and counting since installing 51 solar panels across two of its buildings last year.

The panels, installed last year, have reduced electricity bills and supported the hospital's core mission of rehabilitating sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.

Rob Knight, general manager at Brent Lodge, said: "The difference the solar panels make in terms of financial impact is around £3,000 so far.

"It provides us with long-term sustainability. Using energy that we don't have to pay for really helps us to fight our deficit each month."

The charity cares for around 3,000 animals each year, aiming to release them back into their natural habitats.

A fox cub being fed.(Image: Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital)

In 2024, it treated 79 different species of birds and 23 species of mammals.

The hospital relies on a range of energy-intensive equipment, including patient incubators and x-ray machines.

Mr Knight said: "By our very nature, we're a non-profit organisation.

"We're here to give back to our cause, which is wildlife, and we care about wildlife and the environment equally, especially as we're releasing wildlife into the environment."

With fundraising becoming increasingly difficult, the savings from solar energy have been especially valuable.

Feeding a fawn.(Image: Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital)

The charity has seen a decline in legacy donations and faces rising costs in running its charity shops.

More information about Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital is available at www.brentlodge.org.

Despite these challenges, Brent Lodge is already looking to expand its renewable energy efforts.

In the future, the charity is hoping to fundraise for storage batteries, which means the hospital can store excess energy from the solar panels to use overnight or on overcast days. The move would cost around £9,000, but over time will 'more than pay for itself'.

He encouraged the public to support the hospital in any way they can.

Mr Knight said: "Anything that anyone can do to help us with that, we'd be so grateful.

Rob Knight (right), with solar installers Darren Crisp and Mark Osborne of Wagner Renewables.(Image: Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital)

"We always need people to come and support the charity, whether that's bringing a small pack of newspaper in the wintertime for hedgehog bedding, cat or dog food or setting up a monthly donation, we're grateful for anything and all help."

He also urged other organisations to consider similar investments in renewable energy.

Mr Knight said: "As a charity, giving back to our wildlife and our environment by investing in energy from sustainable sources was high on our agenda.

"If you operate in the third sector, investment in environmental sustainability should be a top priority, not just for the long-term gains on energy savings, but for a collective message and impact.

"If non-profit organisations can collectively work together on environmental sustainability, the greater the effect on the environment we'll have and the increased message we'll be able to send to profit-oriented companies, which is that if we can do it, so can you."

Going green helps Sidlesham wildlife hospital cut energy bills