A greenhouse complex in Stanyshivka, Zhytomyr region, Ukraine has achieved significant savings, using solar energy. Over three months, the solar panels installed on the greenhouse's roof have saved the enterprise nearly 7,000 EUR. The decision to install a solar power system was driven by frequent power outages caused by Russians attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and the potential increase in electricity costs.
The solar power station, which began operation in May 2024, was installed at a cost of approximately 30,000 EUR. According to the company's director, the savings accrued over the initial three months suggest that the investment will pay for itself within three years.
The facility's chief engineer, Roman Rudnytskyi, explained that the first phase of the solar installation consists of 108 panels with a total capacity of 62 kilowatts. The plant is currently assessing the efficiency of this setup and will consider expanding the system after evaluating its economic viability over a year. The current inverter can support an increase in capacity up to 115 kilowatts.
The company plans to invest in a hybrid inverter to enable energy storage, allowing it to store excess energy for use during high-demand periods, such as the winter months when the plant's energy consumption increases due to the need for heating greenhouses and additional lighting.
In 2024, the number of private enterprises in the Zhytomyr region installing solar power systems grew from six to twenty. According to solar energy expert Yevhen Perepelytsia, the state offers programs to support entrepreneurs transitioning to solar energy, including favorable loan schemes, which allow businesses to finance solar installations using the equipment as collateral, making it easier for businesses to obtain bank financing.
Source: suspilne.media