The PV Symposium in German town Bad Staffelstein remained engaging right up to the final presentation. But Willi Ernst had to leave early. In Paderborn, solar components and batteries for several schools and hospitals in Ukraine were waiting to be shipped east.
Urgent call for donations to supply solar equipment and batteries
This time, three combined heat and power units with capacities of five, 50 and 52 kilowatts were loaded onto the truck for Ukrainian schools. Ernst also used a forklift to load 16 pallets of solar modules – 196 kilowatts in total – destined for three hospitals. A battery system (30 kilowatts, 62 kilowatt-hours) and several inverters were also included in the shipment.
Biohaus Stiftung seeks support for Ukraine
Another battery system will follow shortly, together with cables and accessories. The solar equipment and storage systems are destined for recipients in Boyarka, Brovary, Cherkasy, Teofipol, Obukhiv and Kamianets-Podilskyi.
More than 100 hospitals on the waiting list
For more than a year, the Biohaus Foundation in Paderborn has been working with Greenpeace and EU logistical channels to purchase solar installations, CHP units and storage systems, ship them to Ukraine and support local installers during installation. “We purchase the components with donated funds,” said Willi Ernst of the Biohaus Foundation. “The costs for transport, customs and similar expenses are shared equally with Greenpeace.”
Greenpeace pilot brings heat pumps and solar to Ukrainian community
In 2025, Greenpeace trained 30 women as solar installers. Another 50 are expected to follow this year. With many men serving at the front, demand for the training courses is high, and there are far more applicants than places. Graduates of the first course have already opened their own training centre in Kharkiv to pass on their knowledge.
The importance of solar islands
As Ukraine’s fossil and nuclear energy system has largely collapsed, solar-powered islands with battery storage are becoming vital. “More and more hospitals realise that this makes them independent while significantly reducing their energy costs,” said Polina Kolodiazhna of Greenpeace in Kyiv. “That is extremely important.”
New info channel – We stand with Ukraine
For example, 50 kilowatts of solar modules were installed on the roof of a hospital in Chortkiv in western Ukraine. The system provides around 30,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year for the maternity ward and newborns and their mothers. Another 17,000 kilowatt-hours supply the infectious diseases department. Around 70 percent of the hospital’s electricity demand is now covered by solar power. “The hospital saves around 470,000 hryvnias per year,” calculates Greenpeace expert Marina Abramian. One thousand hryvnias correspond to about 20 euros. Larger hospitals can save up to one million hryvnias – around 50,000 euros – each year.
Website of Greenpeace in Ukraine
In 2026, the Biohaus Foundation aims to equip at least twelve hospitals. “For that we urgently need financial donations,” said Willi Ernst. “If we receive more donations, we will send more than twelve systems.” The Biohaus Foundation is a non-profit organisation and issues tax-deductible donation receipts, as does Greenpeace. (HS/TF)
Anyone wishing to support the project in Ukraine can contact Willi Ernst at willi.ernst@biohaus-stiftung.org
