Solar energy for schools: the untapped potential of Ukrainian roofs

There are over 12,000 schools in Ukraine. Most of them have large flat roofs, ideal places for installing solar power plants. But this potential still remains largely untapped. According to SolarPower Europe, the potential of rooftop solar power plants in Ukraine reaches 238 GW. This is several times more than the country consumes during peak hours. Even partial implementation of this potential in educational institutions can change the situation: schools can gain their own energy independence, reduce costs and become an example for communities.

Why schools?
• Energy security: the educational process will not be interrupted even in the event of blackouts.
• Financial savings: money that would have been spent on electricity can be directed to educational programs or modernization.
• Environmental education: children see how theoretical knowledge about renewable energy works in their school.
• Contribution to green recovery: every school with a solar power plant reduces CO₂ emissions and brings Ukraine closer to its climate goals.

Pilot project “School under the Sun”. Glossary Eco Foundation launches a pilot project in Monastyrysk (Ternopil region) on September 1, 2025. A solar power plant with a capacity of over 30 kW has been installed on the roof of a local school.

It will:
• reduce electricity bills by tens of thousands of hryvnias each year;
• avoid emissions of about 52 tons of CO₂ per year;
• guarantee children an uninterrupted learning process even in the event of emergency shutdowns.

Unrealized potential. This pilot is just the beginning. If at least 10% of Ukrainian schools get their own solar stations, it will be thousands of energy independent facilities. And full scaling could become a real energy revolution for the Ukrainian education system.