Solar Energy UK and RePower Ukraine
11 September 2025
Solar Energy UK members are at the forefront of using renewable energy to drive humanitarian impact in Ukraine. In a landmark collaboration, multiple UK solar and energy storage companies have united to support the mission of RePower Ukraine – bringing clean, green reliable energy to frontline healthcare facilities, avoiding frequent grid outages.
The installation of a 36.5 kilowatts of rooftop solar panels, connected to 36 kWh of battery energy storage at Slobozhanske Hospital in Kharkiv region, was marked by a ceremony yesterday. It was the fourth successful project by the charity – supported officially by Solar Energy UK since March – each one a testament to the power of partnership.[1,2]
The solar panels were donated by Photon Energy, one of the UK’s leading rooftop photovoltaic installers. The inverters and batteries were donated by Segen, a distributor of renewable energy technology.
“Raising funds for this project was more of a marathon than a sprint — literally, since running was one of the activities we used to reach our goal. But the results speak for themselves. I’m incredibly grateful to our partners, including RePower Ukraine and Segen, for helping us bring this idea to life. It shows what the industry can achieve when we come together for a truly meaningful cause,” says Jonathan Bates, one of RePower Ukraine’s UK Ambassadors and Director of Photon Energy. He was in Ukraine to attend the launch personally.
Midsummer Wholesale partnered with Photon to help raise the funds required to cover the cost of transport, installation, mounting system, cabling and installation – all procured locally.
Midsummer raised the funds through its staff conducting a sponsored run of the distance from Cambridge to the hospital, equivalent to two and a half marathons each day.
“We’re grateful to have been involved in the project and honoured to have attended the ceremony. Thanks to RePower Ukraine Charitable Foundation, and especially to Nick Arnold for reaching out initially – and to Jonathan Bates for pushing the project along,” Midsummer’s commercial director Jamie Vaux wrote on LinkedIn.
Additional funding and support was also received from solar investor Next Energy Capital and installer ESS Group.
“Repower Ukraine would also like to thank Solar Energy UK for its ongoing support. It has been instrumental in connecting donors and supporters from their members as well as promoting Repower’s projects at their events. Repower Ukraine’s team in the UK has now grown to a team of six volunteers with new ambassadors from the UK solar industry. There is still a huge need for these projects in Ukraine and we are actively seeking new sponsors and supporters from across the industry, said Nick Arnold, RePower’s first UK ambassador.
Before the installation, Slobozhanske Hospital endured daily blackouts of up to 18 hours, severely compromising patient care. Some power was provided by noisy, unreliable and fuel-hungry diesel generators, but the situation meant that critical patients had to be transferred to Kharkiv, over 60km away.
Now, with solar energy and battery storage, the hospital enjoys energy independence, ensuring uninterrupted medical services for the 50,000 patients it serves annually.
[1] Ukraine’s renewable recovery backed by UK solar sector
[2] Solar Energy UK backs solar aid for Ukraine
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