Ukraine added about 500 MW of new solar capacity in the first half of 2025, and by the end of the year this figure is expected to reach 1 GW. This was reported by Vladyslav Sokolovskyi, Chairman of the Solar Energy Association of Ukraine, in a comment for the international publication PV Magazine.
According to him, after Russia’s full-scale invasion, distributed generation, particularly solar energy, became “not just an alternative, but a true lifeline” for Ukraine.
“To stabilize the energy system, the country needs at least 4 GW of new or restored capacity – and as soon as possible. Solar generation can lend its support to the entire Ukrainian energy sector,” Sokolovskyi emphasized.
He noted that most of the new photovoltaic systems in Ukraine are for self-consumption, stimulated by the cancellation of VAT and customs duties on imported equipment. The most active users of self-consumption solar power plants are enterprises in the food industry, logistics and retail, as well as communities, hospitals, educational institutions, and agricultural businesses.
Sokolovskyi also highlighted the growing popularity of agrivoltaics, which “remains a niche segment for now, but is seeing increasing demand.”
Another key trend is the combination of solar generation with energy storage systems.
“The PV+ESS solution ensures balanced generation, and its cost is already comparable to the construction price of a standalone solar power plant just a few years ago,” the expert stressed.
Sokolovskyi also commented on NPC Ukrenergo’s competitive auctions for the purchase of ancillary services with a five-year term, which open new investment opportunities: “This is an unprecedented chance for stable investment returns.”
As a reminder, the Solar Energy Association of Ukraine cooperates with the European division of the publication – PV Europe – providing information and analytics on the state and prospects of solar energy in Ukraine. SEAU partners, members, as well as other solar energy sector participants, can join this cooperation. For more details, please contact office@aseu.org.ua.