Ukraine added up to 1.1 GW of new solar capacity during the first half of 2026, according to preliminary assessments undertaken by the Solar Energy Association of Ukraine (SEAU).
SEAU estimates Ukraine’s total installed solar capacity reached 9.4 GW to 9.7 GW by mid-2026. The association is expecting this year’s additions to reach around 2 GW by the year’s end, growing on the approximately 800 MW in 2024 and 1.5 GW in 2025.
The association explains that much of this year’s growth comes from smaller projects. “We estimate that installations of up to 1 MW, primarily intended for self-consumption, will account for around 80% of new installations in 2026 by number, rather than by capacity,” SEAU’s analysis explains.
SEAU Chairman of the Board Vladyslav Sokolovskyi told pv magazine that distributed generation and energy storage have become essential to Ukraine’s energy security and resilience.
“Their development supports the energy transition while addressing an immediate need: keeping businesses, households and critical infrastructure supplied with electricity during wartime,” he explained.
Sokolovskyi
explained that storage systems offer a reliable source of backup power for households and businesses. He added that for businesses, the economic value of a battery also includes the losses avoided by maintaining essential operations.
Lower equipment costs have also made solar-plus-storage systems more accessible, Sokolovskyi
continued, while batteries can increase solar self-consumption and reduce electricity costs for users.
Ukrainian market data supplied by SEAU put Ukraine’s new battery storage capacity at 2.9 GWh in 2025, making it the fourth largest European market last year. Sokolovskyi
noted the figure covers multiple market segments, including portable battery systems widely used for backup power in Ukraine.
SEAU’s preliminary estimate for storage additions in the first half of 2026 is between 1.6 GWh and 1.9 GWh. Its indicative full-year outlook is around 3.2 GWh.
“Our 2026 outlook for both solar and storage remains conditional on security, access to financing and grid connections,” Sokolovskyi told pv magazine. “Forecasting deployment through the end of 2027 is particularly difficult under current conditions.”
Sokolovskyi
added that restoring capacity lost at the hands of Russian attacks and occupation must go hand in hand with developing distributed generation closer to consumers and enabling critical facilities to operate during interruptions to the external power supply.
“Ukrainian energy experts estimate that the power system needs around 10 GW of new and restored generating capacity across different technologies,” he said. “Generation shortages and damage to electricity networks have contributed to recurring outages and increased reliance on electricity imports from neighbouring EU countries.”
Sokolovskyi
pointed to seven priorities that should guide the next stage of development in Ukraine’s solar and storage markets.
His list of priorities includes rapid restoration and protection of energy infrastructure, continued support for distributed generation, effective insurance and guarantee mechanisms to reduce war-related investment risks and simpler, more predictable grid connection procedures.
The list is rounded out by deeper integration with the EU electricity market, more accessible concessional financing for energy projects and the development of microgrids combining solar and storage with other energy sources where needed.
“Ukraine’s private sector is already investing in new energy capacity despite the war. The next task is to make it easier for that investment to scale through predictable procedures, accessible finance and practical risk-sharing mechanisms,” Sokolovskyi concluded.
“Solar generation and battery storage can play a central role in this effort, helping build a more resilient and flexible power system while meeting consumers’ immediate energy needs.”
Ukraine updated its solar feed-in tariffs earlier this year and more recently, introduced time windows for eligiblity.
Later this week, Ukraine’s state-owned JSC Guaranteed Buyer, the offtaker and intermediary in the country’s electricity market, is running two solar auctions offering a combined 150 MW.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
Comments
Please login to comment
The new ESS News magazine is here!
Download your free digital copy today.
The new issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
Available in print and digital – get your copy today!
Saudi Arabia is accelerating its clean energy transition—join the SunRise Arabia Clean Energy Conference 2026 in Riyadh to explore how solar PV and energy storage are powering its digital economy.
pv magazine USA hosts its multi-day virtual event on U.S. solar and energy storage, covering domestic manufacturing, distributed energy and the growing role of solar-plus-storage in meeting AI-driven power demand.
Monday, October 26, 2026
10:30 am – 11:30 am CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Giovedì, 1 ottobre 2026
14:30 – 15:30 CEST, Roma
You have no items in your basket.
