The demand for solar energy in Ukraine has changed: Ukrainians and businesses are moving towards energy independence

After the start of the full-scale war, the Ukrainian solar energy market has undergone significant changes. If previously the key investors in this area were large industrial companies, today the main demand is formed by households and businesses that seek to ensure their own energy autonomy.

This was stated by the head of the legal committee of the Ukrainian Solar Energy Association, Ivan Balytsky.

According to him, until 2022, the development of the industry was largely stimulated by the so-called “green tariff”, and the main part of the market was occupied by large solar power plants.

However, after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, investment activity in the sector almost stopped. The turning point was 2023, when massive attacks on the Ukrainian energy infrastructure and regular power outages forced Ukrainians to look for alternative power sources.

It was then, according to the expert, that the market began to actively reorient itself towards small-scale generation – the installation of solar power plants in private homes, enterprises and commercial facilities.

Additional growth factors were a significant reduction in the cost of equipment, the abolition of import duties and value-added tax on photovoltaic modules and battery systems.

A particularly important step was the introduction of the status of an “active consumer”, which allows Ukrainians and enterprises without a license to sell excess electricity generated to the general network.

According to Balytsky, today the installation of solar power plants is economically beneficial for both the population and business, since it not only provides backup power during blackouts, but also allows you to significantly reduce electricity costs.

The expert also emphasized that solar power plants work effectively even in winter. Under favorable weather conditions, their productivity can be higher than in hot summer weather, due to the lower temperature of the modules.

At the same time, experts recommend installing solar systems together with energy storage devices to be able to use electricity during long outages.

Amid possible energy challenges in the winter, experts urge Ukrainians to take care of their own energy security now and not rely solely on the centralized energy system.