Three Ukrainian Communities Complete Solar Projects to Keep Essential Services Running

Three territorial communities across Ukraine have completed small-scale renewable energy installations aimed at keeping critical infrastructure operational when the national grid fails. The projects — in Slobozhanska, Drohobytska and Selidivska communities — emerged from a competitive grant programme organised by civil-society organisations Ecodia and LOPTS Alternatyva with support from the UK government. Each winning community received approximately 500,000 hryvnias, selected on the basis of project viability, benefit to residents, innovation and cost-effectiveness.

In the village of Donets in Kharkiv Oblast, a municipal utility serving more than 1,800 residents, a school and a medical clinic expanded its existing solar station by adding three lithium battery units and updating the automation system. Storage capacity rose by 60 percent, enabling water pumps to run independently for about seven hours. During May and June, the facility drew roughly 70 percent less electricity from the grid.

At a secondary school in Drohobych, a 13.53 kW hybrid solar station paired with 20.4 kWh of storage now powers critical systems during blackouts. The installation has also become an educational resource: students work alongside the relocated Donetsk National Technical University to study alternative energy, with additional co-financing secured for a shared research and consultation facility on site.

In Odesa Oblast, a social care centre relocated from Selidove — where 25 residents live on a round-the-clock basis — finished mounting and connecting a solar thermal system by the end of June. Once fully operational, it will supply hot water and reduce the centre’s dependence on grid electricity for heating.

Source: Ecoaction (Екодія)