SEAU experts – Head of the Legal Committee Ivan Balytskyi and Head of the Investment Committee Dmytro Lukomskyi – provided Property Times with detailed commentary on the transformation of Ukrainian businesses’ approaches to self-generation and the implementation of energy storage systems.
The Property Times publication shows that the war has radically changed the motivation of businesses to install solar power plants (PV), BESS, and other renewable energy solutions. While before the main factors were savings and a “green” brand image, today businesses view self-generation as a matter of survival.
“After the start of the full-scale invasion, business viability came to the forefront. The ability to operate during power outages and ensure uninterrupted equipment operation is no longer a competitive advantage, but a condition for survival”, explained SEAU Investment Committee Chairman Dmytro Lukomskyi.
Experts note that the self-consumption model now dominates in commercial real estate – when electricity from PV systems is immediately used to meet the facility’s needs.
“The large roof areas of shopping malls or logistics centers allow for quick implementation of PV projects. Ballasted systems do not require interference with the building structures, so the solution is easy and accessible, without additional permits or reconstruction”, noted Ivan Balytskyi, Chairman of the SEAU Legal Committee.
At the same time, experts point out that the active consumer (net-metering) model is also developing, which allows businesses to feed excess electricity into the grid and then use it during hours without generation.
Another key direction of development is hybrid energy systems – combining PV, BESS, gas-fired generators, and backup power sources. They enable businesses to operate even during blackouts.
The publication also featured comments from a representative of an SEAU member company – founder and CEO of Unisolar, Tetiana Odnoroh. The expert emphasized the role of an integrated approach:
“Solar power plants are an effective tool, but they should be seen only as part of a comprehensive energy system. For businesses, the optimal solution is a combination: cogeneration + energy storage systems. This combination provides cheaper electricity, stability, and backup power”, emphasized Tetiana Odnoroh.
SEAU experts forecast an active increase in the installation of industrial solar power plants in the coming years.
As noted by Ivan Balytskyi, the electricity market is experiencing a boom in PV deployment driven by consumers themselves. According to SEAU estimates, more than 800 MW of new capacity was installed in 2024, and in 2025 this figure may reach 2 GW.
SEAU welcomes the readiness of Ukrainian businesses to invest in self-generation and energy storage solutions, as distributed generation has become one of the key factors in the country’s energy resilience during the war.