The webinar was organised in the framework of the INCREASE project and moderated by SolarPower Europe.
The discussion highlighted the important role of European support in rebuilding and modernising Ukraine’s energy system. The Ukraine Facility, which provides a framework for up to €50 billion in EU financial support between 2024 and 2027 for Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction and modernisation. The Ukraine Investment Framework was highlighted as an important mechanism for mobilising investment, including opportunities for Ukrainian and EU/EEA businesses to propose investments aligned with Ukraine’s reconstruction priorities.
The webinar welcomed Aron Kerpel-Fronius, Energy Adviser at the EU Delegation to Ukraine; Büşra Yılmaz-Depondt of Solstrides Projects; Vladislav Sokolovsky of the Solar Energy Association of Ukraine; and Kostiantyn Gura of Ukraine2Power and UNECE. Several main points were raised during the discussion: EU support and investment opportunities.
BIPV as part of resilient reconstruction
BIPV as photovoltaic technology that replaces a building component while simultaneously performing the function of that component. This means PV can be incorporated directly into roofs, façades and other elements of the built environment rather than simply being added to a building afterwards
For Ukraine, the choice of BIPV solution should depend on the building element being reconstructed, the condition of the building and its energy and resilience requirements. Roof-integrated PV can be particularly relevant when roofs need to be replaced, while façade-integrated PV provides opportunities during deep façade renovation or new construction. Canopies and other integrated elements can provide additional generation where roof space is constrained.
For immediate reconstruction needs, the discussion suggested prioritising solutions that are relatively standardised, replaceable and straightforward to install. This is particularly relevant for damaged roofs and façades, where reconstruction can simultaneously restore the building envelope and introduce local renewable electricity generation.
Resilience requires an integrated energy system approach
A central message from the webinar was that BIPV alone does not provide energy independence or backup power. To improve resilience during outages, photovoltaic generation needs to be combined with storage, appropriate inverters, protection equipment, control systems and suitable grid arrangements.
This integrated approach is particularly relevant for hospitals and healthcare facilities, water and wastewater infrastructure, district heating, schools, kindergartens and other critical or community facilities, where electricity supply must be maintained even during prolonged grid disruptions.
Ukraine’s emerging opportunity for BIPV
The discussion also underlined that Ukraine already has a rapidly developing distributed solar market, while BIPV itself remains at an earlier stage. Reconstruction therefore represents an opportunity to introduce BIPV directly into building renovation and new construction rather than treating it solely as an additional renewable-energy technology.
The panellists highlighted damaged roofs and façades as a particularly practical entry point. Instead of replacing these components conventionally and installing PV separately at a later stage, reconstruction projects could consider photovoltaic building components from the outset.
At the same time, BIPV projects need to meet requirements from both the energy and construction sectors, including structural integrity, fire safety, weather protection, certification, maintenance responsibilities and arrangements concerning shared surfaces in multi-apartment buildings.
From reconstruction to a decentralised energy system
The reconstruction should not simply recreate Ukraine’s previous centralised energy architecture. Instead, rebuilding provides an opportunity to develop a more decentralised system in which smaller-scale renewable installations located closer to consumers complement large-scale generation.
Examples discussed included solar-plus-storage systems serving hospitals, schools, kindergartens and other critical infrastructure. Such systems demonstrate how distributed renewable energy can contribute not only to decarbonisation but also to continuity of essential services during grid outages.
This approach reinforces the broader conclusion of the webinar: BIPV should be viewed as part of an integrated reconstruction strategy combining buildings, renewable generation, storage, smart energy management and local energy networks.