How solar panels power Sheptytsky City Hospital and save community resources

In the context of military challenges and unstable power supply, the issue of energy sustainability in medical facilities is critically important. One effective solution has been the introduction of renewable energy sources.

Solar power plants have been operating at hospitals in Sheptytskyi for over a year. They were installed with the support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the German government as part of the “Renewable Energy Sources for Ukraine” project.

In 14 months of operation, the 39.5 kW solar power plant installed on the roof of the oncology department of the Sheptytsky City Hospital has shown tangible results. In particular, the power plant:

• covered about 70% of the oncology department’s electricity needs;

• ensured the stable operation of the department, where more than 8,000 patients are treated each year;

• generated 100–500 kWh of electricity per month during the winter period and more than 1,000 kWh per month from May to October;

• During power outages, it allowed the department to operate autonomously for up to 24 hours thanks to rechargeable batteries.

It saved 117,000 hryvnia in budget funds during its period of operation.

“Expensive equipment requires a large amount of electricity and, most importantly, an uninterrupted supply. In the treatment of cancer, accuracy and adherence to procedure schedules are critical, as any interruption due to a power outage poses a risk to the patient’s health. The installed solar panels ensure the uninterrupted operation of the cancer center and also allow for budget savings. If now, in cloudy weather, we need a small amount of supply from the general grid, then in the summer, on sunny days, the department can operate completely autonomously,” says Ihor Tymniak, head of the oncology department.

The introduction of solar power plants at healthcare facilities increases their reliability, reduces the load on the power grid, and promotes the efficient use of budget resources.

Such solutions are an important part of the community’s transition to a modern, sustainable, and environmentally responsible energy model.

This publication was prepared as part of the project “Just Transition in Action: Coordinating Community Efforts for Sustainable Development,” implemented by the Just Transition Agency with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie) and support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.