Learning without interruptions
Infrastructure + Education
We combine technological solutions with environmental thinking formed from childhood.
Energy of Change - School Under the Sun
The sun gives energy, and we give children the opportunity to keep learning. Discover how schools become autonomous through the project.
Anastasiia Tsybuliak, founder of the foundation
““When a school works even during a blackout, it is more than light in a classroom. It is a signal to children: solutions exist, they are real, and they can be built with one's own hands.”
Up to 50% electricity cost savings
How Solar Energy Changes Ukrainian Schools
The war has destroyed Ukraine's educational infrastructure: more than 5 million children have lost stable access to learning, a third of schools are damaged, and hundreds have been destroyed. At the peak months of 2024, blackouts lasted 8-10 hours a day. A school without backup power could not guarantee a single full school day, because even one power outage disrupts the entire learning process.
Glossary Eco Foundation created the 'School Under the Sun' project to deliver energy autonomy for Ukrainian schools. We install hybrid solar power plants on the roofs of educational institutions so that they can operate uninterrupted even in times of crisis. In addition, this makes it possible to reduce electricity costs and to integrate renewable energy technologies into the learning process.
Glossary Eco Foundation created the 'School Under the Sun' project to deliver energy autonomy for Ukrainian schools. We install hybrid solar power plants on the roofs of educational institutions so that they can operate uninterrupted even in times of crisis. In addition, this makes it possible to reduce electricity costs and to integrate renewable energy technologies into the learning process.
International experience shows a typical trajectory for this field: at first, NGOs and proactive companies do the pioneering work - refining the model, building demand, and preparing specialists and standards. Then comes avalanche-like expansion: either the state takes this to a systemic level and the majority of schools receive solar power plants, or business joins en masse through ESG motivation. 'School Under the Sun' is part of this preparatory work. Where infrastructure is combined with educational content, a twofold effect arises: the school saves money and operates without interruption, while pupils who see the real generation data of their school's solar plant every day form a new attitude to energy. This, in turn, changes the community.
Real Results
What a school receives through the project
Solar station:
A hybrid solar power plant with a capacity of 20-30 kW and an energy storage system. The system operates in three modes - from the sun, from the grid and from the battery - and covers a typical blackout of up to 6 hours: this is enough for the school to work a full school day even during outages. Capacity is selected individually: up to 30 kW is a typical configuration for schools of 200-400 pupils; the pilot project at the school in the town of Monastyryska was delivered with a capacity of 51.5 kW, in view of the size of the institution.
Savings
A solar power plant makes it possible to cover up to 20-50% of annual electricity consumption, generating substantial annual cost savings - hundreds of thousands of hryvnias that can be directed to the development of education. The service life of the plant is 25 years: this is a long-term investment, not a one-off form of aid.
CO₂
A reduction of CO₂ emissions by 15 tonnes a year - equivalent to the annual absorption of around 800 trees. Over the service life of the plant, a single school ensures the avoidance of more than 375 tonnes of CO₂.
Step by Step Toward Energy Independence
PILOT PROJECT at Monastyryska School
The pilot project confirmed: the model works. Stable availability of electricity during blackouts, real savings, and children who see renewable energy in action every day - this is a proven standard that can be replicated.
CURRENT PLAN: 15 schools in 2 years
15 schools means more than 4,500 children learning without interruption even during energy crises. It means at least UAH 3.75 million in funds freed up each year, which schools can direct to development. It means 225 tonnes of annual CO₂ reduction and a contribution that accumulates over the years: over 25 years of operation, 15 plants together ensure the avoidance of more than 5,600 tonnes of emissions. Each new school becomes a living example for the community and neighbouring institutions.
STRATEGIC GOAL: 50+ schools
50 schools means more than UAH 25 million in savings each year, 750 tonnes of CO₂ reduction a year, and a stable learning process in 50 communities even in times of crisis. Over 25 years of operation, 50 plants together will avoid more than 18,750 tonnes of emissions. The delivered model opens the way to systemic change in the energy supply of education across the whole country.
In the summer months, schools can sell surplus electricity, financing their own educational programmes, repairs and infrastructure upgrades.
This is a scalable model of energy and financial autonomy that can be implemented across the country.
This is a scalable model of energy and financial autonomy that can be implemented across the country.
Seasonal Coverage of Electricity Consumption
Theory of Change
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Inputs
Funding, engineering expertise, community support and business partnerships.
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Activities
Energy audits, design, installation of solar stations, integration into school networks and development of educational programs.
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Outputs
Continuous learning, cost savings, lower CO₂ emissions and practical experience with sustainable solutions.
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Long-term Impact
A pupil who, in a physics lesson, analysed real data from the panels on the roof of their own school perceives renewable energy differently - as a specialist, a consumer and a citizen. Schools become centres of sustainable development in their communities, and the proven model lays the groundwork for systemic scaling - whether by the state or by business - once public demand reaches a critical mass.
Schools become centers of sustainable development in their communities, while the tested model creates a foundation for systemic scaling through public or business support.
What the Donor Receives
Measurable impact
Transparent data on cost savings, CO₂ reduction and the number of children and communities that have benefited from the project. Online monitoring of the plant makes it possible to see generation figures in real time.
Named status
The project may carry the donor’s name in public communications and school information materials.
Full transparency
Regular photo and video reports, open financial data, and ongoing communication about the stages of project delivery. All funds are directed to the procurement and installation of photovoltaic panels, inverters, energy storage systems, installation services and logistics - no hidden items.
Cost of one project
Full financing of a standard project for one school is around USD 30,000. This is the standard set of equipment for a 28-30 kW system, covering the needs of a school of 200-400 pupils: photovoltaic panels, an inverter, an energy storage system, installation and logistics. For larger schools, the configuration and accordingly the cost increase proportionally - in the pilot project at Monastyryska School (638 pupils, 51.5 kW), the delivered cost amounted to USD 42,000.
ESG alignment
The contribution is integrated into corporate sustainability reporting, strengthening the company's ESG position. Unlike forest offsets, where emissions reduction is built on hypothetical scenarios, a school solar plant with online monitoring generates verified data in real time: kilowatt-hours, CO₂, operating periods. The 'School Under the Sun' project provides a format of confirmation in line with the CSRD and GRI standards.
Global visibility
Coverage in Ukrainian and international media, raising brand recognition and reputational capital.
Long-term legacy
An investment that works for 25 years, supporting the stability of communities and changing children's attitudes to energy and the environment. Real savings, verified CO₂ reduction and stable education.