А practical workshop on installing and configuring a hybrid balcony solar system was held at the Kyiv Institute of Renewable Energy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine on 28 October 2023. The workshop was a continuation of the project "Green Reconstruction of Ukraine: Sustainable Solutions for IDP Housing" The participants already received theoretical knowledge for this workshop during an educational online webinar on 20 October 2023.

The project is organised by the NGO "Sustainable Development Agency SYNERGY" in partnership with the NGO Gromada and Ukraine-Hilfe Berlin e.V. with the financial support of the Nord-Süd-Brücken e.V. Foundation from the funds of the Berlin Development Cooperation Agency and the Heinrich Boell Foundation, Kyiv-Ukraine Office.

Representatives of the project's organisers and donors welcomed the participants. The event was opened by Iryna Kondratenko, coordinator of the Climate Change and Energy Policy Programme at the Heinrich Boell Foundation, Kyiv-Ukraine Office. Iryna spoke about the importance of green energy development, particularly at the local level. Julia Eichhofer from the NGO Ukraine-Hilfe Berlin e.V. took the floor and noted that today hybrid solar power plants not only provide a climate friendly energy production but also safety and autonomy for local communities in Ukraine. Arina Satovska, head of the NGO Hromada, spoke about assistance projects for IDPs and people affected by the occupation of Kyiv region. Stepan Kudria, Director of the Institute of Renewable Energy of the National Academy of Sciences, spoke on behalf of the Institute. He stressed the importance of joint educational activities of scientific and educational institutions with the public in cooperation with NGOs and spoke about the benefits of installing autonomous solar power plants.

The project participants included 25 activists, academics, energy managers, and internally displaced persons who plan to use balcony solar stations or work and teach on the subject. During the workshop, participants had the opportunity to put their theoretical knowledge into practice. The project trainers were Taras Bondarenko and Pavlo Deremenda, representatives of National Power Company "Ukrenergo". The first part of the workshop included a demonstration and explanation of the specifics of connecting and installing a hybrid balcony solar power plant, participants had the opportunity to ask clarifying questions, and in the second part, divided into three working groups and having received the necessary equipment, the teams independently installed hybrid solar power plants under the supervision of experts.

In the afternoon, the project participants got acquainted with the operation of a heat pump installed at the Institute of Renewable Energy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and Oleksiy Zuryan, Deputy Director for Research at the Institute, spoke about the features of its operation. In addition, despite the difficult weather conditions, a study tour to Bucha took place, where a solar panel was being installed on a modular house for Mrs Iryna, whose home had become temporarily uninhabitable due to the occupation of Bucha. You can watch a video about the tragic story of Ms Iryna in this video.

Source: SDA Synergy