In Kyiv, there are high-rises where the power will not be turned off during blackouts.

The first apartment building appeared in Kyiv, which began to give the surplus of electricity to the common network. This became possible due to the installation of solar panels on the roof and the participation of the apartment building co-ownership association (OSBB) in several city programs for energy efficiency.

On the roof of the high-rise building, 72 solar panels, two inverters were installed, and six batteries were placed in the basement. This system allows the building not only to supply itself with electricity during planned outages but also to generate a surplus, which is now fed into the city-wide network.

The head of the OSBB, Stanislav Dontsov, reported that during peak consumption hours, from 6 PM to 10 PM, the building gives about 10 kW of energy to the grid. The OSBB consumes electricity at a fixed tariff of 4.32 hryvnias and gives it back at a market tariff, which can reach 9 hryvnias per kilowatt in the evening hours. This means that even if the building gives back less energy than it used, it can still remain in surplus due to the difference in tariffs.

The installation of its own solar power plant cost the OSBB more than 3 million hryvnias. However, thanks to the city program "70 to 30", where the city pays 70% of the cost, and residents – 30%, it was possible to significantly reduce expenses. Residents of the house collected their share by paying 110 hryvnias per square meter.

An additional 200 thousand hryvnias were required for technical modernization to be able to give the surplus energy back to the grid. These funds were obtained through another city program for the compensation of alternative sources of nutrition.

The deputy head of the Kyiv City State Administration, Petro Panteleev, spoke about new opportunities for OSBBs, including a revolving fund that will provide preferential loans for the implementation of similar projects.

This example inspired other OSBBs in the city. In particular, another association on the other side of Kyiv plans to install its own solar station next month. The head of this OSBB, Mykola Kostiuk, talked about already implemented energy efficiency projects, including pipe replacement, insulation of walls and roof, installation of new windows and doors.

Such initiatives allow not only to ensure the energy independence of the buildings but also potentially to reduce utility bills for residents. Besides, they contribute to the development of green energy in the city and increase the overall energy efficiency of urban infrastructure.

Criticism of installing solar panels on high-rises