A hands-on workshop on installing hybrid balcony solar power stations was held in Kyiv
As part of the project “Green Reconstruction of Ukraine: Sustainable Solutions for IDP Housing,” a hands-on workshop on the installation and configuration of a hybrid balcony solar system was held on October 28, 2023, at the Kyiv Institute of Renewable Energy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Participants had gained the theoretical knowledge for this workshop during an online educational webinar the day before, on October 20, 2023.
The events are organized by the NGO “Sustainable Development Agency ‘SYNERGY’” in partnership with the NGO “Hromada” and Ukraine-Hilfe Berlin e.V., with financial support from the Nord-Süd-Brücken e.V. Foundation, funded by the Berlin Agency for Development Cooperation and the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Kyiv Office — Ukraine.
Representatives of the project organizers and donors delivered welcoming remarks to the participants. In particular, the event was opened by Iryna Kondratenko, coordinator of the “Climate Change and Energy Policy” program at the Heinrich Böll Foundation’s Kyiv Office – Ukraine. Iryna spoke about the importance of developing green energy, particularly at the local level. Yulia Aighoffer from the NGO Ukraine-Hilfe Berlin e.V. took the floor and noted that today, hybrid solar power plants are no longer just about the climate, but about security and autonomy. Arina Satovska, head of the NGO Hromada, spoke about aid projects for IDPs and people affected by the occupation of the Kyiv region. Stepan Kudria, director of the Institute of Renewable Energy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, spoke on behalf of the institute. He emphasized the importance of joint educational events organized by scientific and educational institutions with the public in cooperation with civil society organizations and discussed the benefits of installing autonomous solar power plants.
The project brought together 25 dedicated activists, researchers, educators, energy managers, and internally displaced persons who are teaching, rebuilding, renovating, or planning to use balcony solar power stations. During the workshop, participants had the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in practice. The project trainers were Taras Bondarenko and Pavlo Deremenda, representatives of NPC Ukrenergo. In the first part of the workshop, there was a demonstration and explanation of the specifics of connecting and installing a hybrid balcony solar power station; participants had the opportunity to ask clarifying questions. In the second part, after dividing into three working groups and receiving the necessary equipment, the teams independently installed hybrid solar power stations under the supervision of experts.
In the afternoon, project participants learned about the operation of a heat pump installed at the Institute of Renewable Energy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine; Oleksiy Zuryan, the Institute’s Deputy Director for Scientific Work, explained the specifics of its operation. In addition, despite the challenging weather conditions, a study trip took place to the city of Bucha, where a solar power system was being installed on a modular home for Ms. Iryna, whose residence had become temporarily uninhabitable due to the occupation of Bucha and requires restoration. A video recounting Ms. Iryna’s tragic story is available for viewing.
Overall, the study trip was a very moving experience for the workshop participants and served as a reminder to all of us of the price that independence comes at.
