Ivan Balytskyi, Head of the Legal Committee of the Solar Energy Association of Ukraine, appeared live on Hromadske Radio, where he discussed the transformation of Ukraine’s solar energy sector amid the full-scale war, the key drivers behind its development, and the role of solar power plants in strengthening the country’s energy security.
During the broadcast, the expert noted that Ukraine’s solar energy sector has undergone significant changes since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. While large-scale utility solar power plants operating under the feed-in tariff previously served as the primary driver of market growth, today an increasing number of households and businesses are installing solar power systems to achieve greater energy independence.
“The turning point came in 2023, when we experienced widespread power outages and the enemy began systematically destroying our power generation facilities. That was when people and businesses started looking at solar energy differently – first and foremost as a tool for ensuring their own energy security,” said Ivan Balytskyi.
According to the expert, additional factors contributing to market growth include the significant decline in the cost of solar equipment, the abolition of VAT and import duties on photovoltaic modules and battery energy storage systems, and the introduction of the active consumer status, which allows households and businesses to sell surplus electricity back to the grid.
Special attention during the interview was also given to the performance of solar power systems during the winter season.
“Few people realize that at temperatures between -2°C and -5°C, a solar power system can actually generate more electricity than on a hot summer day. Under clear skies, photovoltaic modules operate more efficiently, although the total amount of electricity generated still depends on the length of daylight,” explained Mr. Balytskyi.
The expert also emphasized that solar power systems deliver the greatest value when combined with battery energy storage systems (BESS), enabling the use of generated electricity during planned or emergency power outages.
Concluding the interview, Ivan Balytskyi encouraged Ukrainians to prepare in advance for the upcoming heating season by strengthening their own energy resilience.
“Preparing for winter is a shared responsibility. We should not rely solely on the national power system. Everyone who has the opportunity to invest in their own power generation and energy storage systems contributes not only to their personal energy security but also to the resilience of Ukraine’s entire energy system,” concluded the Head of the SEAU Legal Committee.
The Solar Energy Association of Ukraine believes that the continued development of distributed generation, solar power plants, and battery energy storage systems remains one of the key pillars for strengthening Ukraine’s energy resilience and ensuring a reliable electricity supply for citizens, businesses, and critical infrastructure facilities.
The full interview is available on the Hromadske Radio website.