From Guest Blogger Maria Kruk: Ukrainian Breakthrough on Solar Energy Market

Ukraine is intended to become a new leader in solar energy production in Europe! Modern energy trends and statistics feature a rapid growth of solar power generation, which is associated with favorable natural conditions. According to experts’ opinion, Ukraine can boast of better irradiation facilities, than Germany – a current front-runner in solar energy production. In addition, effective energy policy of Ukrainian government has drawn an attention of numerous foreign investors, interested in distribution of solar cell panels.

The process of solar energy advancement in Ukraine started in 2011, when Okhotnykovo Solar Park (Crimea) was constructed. The preference of big scales is one of the Ukrainian prerogatives, which was applied even in energy sector. The solar park covers an area of 160 hectares, which makes it the 6th largest in the world and the second on the European continent. The other major solar installation is located in Perovo village, embracing the territory of 200 hectares near Simferopol (Crimea). It also outranges Okhotnykovo Solar Park in capacity, particularly in solar panels quantity (400 thousand in contrast to 360 thousand) and energy production (100 MW in contrast to 80 MW). However, the energy balance in Ukraine still depends on traditional fuels, like oil, natural gas and coal, insomuch as renewable energy comprises less than 0,2% of energy consumed by the country population. This indicator unites solar, wind and hydroenergy facilities, established in Ukraine. Plans of national governments feature an enlargement of renewable energy share up to 10% by 2015.

As one could guess, massive construction of solar energy plants is not the only reason of huge advancement in alternative energy usage. Ukrainian authorities established the highest green energy tariff in Europe – 0,46 euro per 1 kW, which has attracted an attention of major solar energy producers. In comparison, feed-in tariff in neighboring Romania is 0,33 euro and in Bulgaria – 0,25 euro. On the contrary, Ukrainian population buys energy in the price of 0,03 euro, the difference is covered by the state.
Among foreign leaders in Ukraine Activ Solar should be mentioned, which contributed to arrangements of solar plants in Perovo and Okhotnykovo villages. This Austrian company is a powerful actor in continental solar PV industry, being the member of European Photovoltaic Industry Association. 90% of photovoltaic cells in Ukraine are built by Activ Solar, which significantly surpasses the activity of Czech and Israeli companies. To give some details, they deal with solar plants construction out of Crimea. According to investors’ predictions, the revenues might be obtained in 5 years.

All in all, the advancement of solar energy in Ukraine benefits to all the actors. Companies receive a huge opportunity to start solar plants in extremely favorable area and, eventually, get big revenues; Ukrainian authorities have found a way out of energy crisis, which has been lasting for several decades; and Ukrainian people got a hope to have cheap and green energy in future. Let’s hope their expectations are worth waiting!

Guest post is written by Maria Kruk, an author for Patentsbase.com