Ukrainian business has rethought solar energy: from saving to survival

During the years of full-scale invasion, Ukrainian business has rethought the role of energy independence in a new way. While solar power plants used to be seen as a cost-saving tool, today it is also a matter of security, stability, and the ability to operate even in crises.

Intent talked to Dmytro Doskevych, founder of Generation, about how the solar energy market is changing, why batteries are becoming the new standard, and why some companies lose time and money trying to assemble a station on their own .

The company has been operating since 2018, has the largest equipment showroom in the Odesa region, more than 700+ sold stations, its own engineering teams, and a warranty service that responds to requests within 24 hours. Generation works with both businesses and households seeking to switch to their own generation.

What key trends in the solar energy sector do you expect in 2026? How has business behavior changed in recent years?

In 2026, I expect the trend for solar stations with storage to continue to grow. We are receiving fewer and fewer requests for classic grid-tie systems and more and more for hybrid solutions with batteries. This applies to both business and private customers.

Over the past 3-5 years, the very logic of decision-making has changed. If earlier businesses only thought about saving money, now they are focused on the stability, uninterrupted operation, and controllability of their energy consumption.

How did the war and energy instability affect the alternative energy market? Have customers started to apply more often?

The impact is very strong. Private households, which used to install plants under the feed-in tariff, are now installing plants for their own consumption with the possibility of autonomous power supply.

Businesses have also changed their approach. They are now thinking not only about savings but also about autonomy. And, just as importantly, autonomy itself leads to greater savings. With drives, you can consume almost no electricity during peak hours, when its cost increases significantly.

What station formats are most often chosen by enterprises in the southern regions? Is there any specificity in Odesa region?

There is only one peculiarity: in Odesa, 1 kW of installed modules generates about 1300 kWh per year. In Kyiv, it is about 1100. But this difference hardly affects the volume of construction of stations.

Solar power plants are economically viable in Odesa, Kyiv, and Lviv, regardless of the region.

What are the prospects for energy independence of enterprises in the next 3-5 years?

Own generation has already become a standard for businesses, as there is a need to optimize electricity costs and ensure the continuity of business processes. This sense of urgency will only grow in the future. Companies will actively add storage to their existing systems, and new plants will be designed with ESS/BESS (energy storage systems). And it is not only about large industrial enterprises, but also offices, service stations, hotels, shopping centers, etc.

In the next 3-5 years, more and more homeowners will install their own solar power plants, primarily due to rising electricity tariffs.

What financing instruments are currently working for business? Are stations installed on credit?

Yes, many projects are now being implemented on credit under the 5-7-9 program. This is the most popular way of financing. The loan is in hryvnia, the rate is lower than inflation. And the station built with these funds can bring in many times more than the cost of servicing the loan.

The real yield is from 20% to 60% per annum, depending on the object.

In what cases is it better to choose uninterruptible systems instead of a solar station? What is the role of batteries in 2026?

If there is a roof, it is worth installing a solar station with storage. If you don't have a roof, you can consider an energy storage unit (ESU). In simple terms, an ESU is an industrial power bank that can be charged from the grid, solar panels, or even a generator and provide energy both during cheap hours and during outages. If a station is already installed, there are two options: add a RCD or convert it to a station with storage. The second option is often cheaper and much more functional.

What should a business consider before installing a station?

The most important thing is to choose a contractor. There are a lot of technical factors, and they are different for each facility. Therefore, it is worth analyzing the key parameters: experience, engineering capabilities, reputation, and price transparency.

Is it possible to assemble the station on my own, with an electrician? Why is it worth contacting an installer?

Everything is possible. The question is what is profitable. We see that projects that customers try to implement on their own are launched in 2-3 years. We could do it on a turnkey basis in six months.

Two lost years are 40-100% of the cost of the plant, which the business could have already returned. Most customers were confident that they could do it in a few months.

Therefore, it is necessary to contact an installer to get a station that really works and save time, nerves, and money.

Generation has been on the market for over 7 years. How did the company maintain its position during the crisis years?

We are building a system company. This means lower prices, higher quality and timely service. Over the past seven years, we have gained a lot of experience, and people feel it - they come to us again and recommend us to their friends. Another big advantage is our own showroom in the center of Odesa at 15 Velyka Arnautska Street, where you can talk to managers offline, look at the equipment and choose the best for yourself.

Олена Болган