Solar Power Plant Installer: veterans and internally displaced persons charge Ukraine with solar energy
The war has shattered millions of lives and significantly changed living and working conditions in Ukraine. At the same time, there has been a surge in demand for sustainable energy and modern professions that open up new prospects. That is why RePower Ukraine has launched training that helps people master the profession of solar power plant installer. This initiative is primarily aimed at supporting veterans and internally displaced persons. It provides them not only with knowledge and skills but also with a real path to a stable income of 30,000 UAH.
At the end of 2025, thanks to cooperation with Higher Vocational School No. 25 in Khmelnytskyi and the Khmelnytskyi Regional Employment Center, the foundation graduated a group of students from the Solar Power Plant Installer course. Among the graduates are five veterans returning to civilian life with a new profession, three internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have found a reliable foundation for their future, and two women from veteran families who are breaking stereotypes by mastering a modern speciality. They acquired a full range of knowledge and skills — from the correct selection and configuration of power plant equipment to the diagnosis and maintenance of systems.
Practical skills for professionals
The foundation also took care of training the teachers: they underwent theoretical training on the basics of teaching power plant installation, as well as on the specifics of working with veterans and other vulnerable groups. Having acquired the necessary foundation, the teachers now pass on practical skills to students that they have gained in real-life situations. Experts from the Renewables Academy (RENAC), an international leader in training and capacity building in renewable energy and energy efficiency, also contributed to the process. Thanks to their participation, course students gained knowledge from leading global experts, which contributes to the gradual implementation of European standards in Ukrainian communities.
Green development — part of Ukraine’s European integration
The program is consistent with Ukraine’s overall direction towards Europe. Energy efficiency and renewable energy are key priorities of the European Green Deal and Ukraine’s commitments under the Association Agreement with the EU. By 2030, Ukraine aims to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, cut CO₂ emissions, and increase the share of renewable energy to 27%. Power plant installers play an important role in this transition: solar panels help save money by reducing electricity costs and increase the energy independence of buildings.
Next steps
In 2026, the RePower Ukraine Foundation plans to expand the retraining program and the geography of training by involving new educational institutions in cooperation. Another important component of the program’s further development will be deepening partnerships with businesses, both by updating and adapting training courses to market needs and by organizing practical training using modern material and technical resources. The goal is both simple and important: to create new jobs, train qualified specialists in the field of solar energy, and contribute to strengthening Ukraine’s energy independence.
