NIBULON Expands Solar Power Use Across Ukrainian Grain Elevators

Image: Nibulon

Ukrainian agricultural and grain company NIBULON is increasing the use of solar power to meet the energy needs of its elevator facilities. According to the company, ground-mounted solar power plants were installed at three additional elevator complexes in the summer of 2026.

The new solar power plants installed at the Bessarabska, Zolotoniska and Denykhivska branches have increased the number of NIBULON elevator complexes equipped with solar power to five. The company said these facilities account for more than 20% of its total elevator facilities.

Solar Power Meets Up to 50% of Electricity Needs

Each of the new plants has a photovoltaic module capacity of up to 350 kW. The facilities are equipped with between 546 and 566 bifacial solar panels, with individual panel capacities of up to 620 W. The systems also feature HUAWEI inverters and ENcombi controllers.

According to NIBULON, the solar power plants can cover between 25% and 50% of an elevator’s electricity requirements, depending on its operating conditions. The systems are connected to the grid and are designed to operate alongside diesel generators during power outages.

The company considers the development of its own solar power generation capacity part of its decarbonization strategy. NIBULON plans to equip 30% of its elevator complexes with solar power plants by 2030.

According to the company, the investments serve three main purposes. First, they reduce the amount of electricity purchased by NIBULON on the day-ahead electricity market (DAM). Second, surplus electricity generated by the solar plants can be fed into the regional distribution grid. Third, operating the solar systems alongside diesel generators during scheduled or emergency power outages can reduce diesel fuel consumption.

NIBULON’s plans to expand solar power generation highlight the growing importance of energy costs and electricity supply security in the operational strategies of grain storage and handling facilities in Ukraine.