LEGAL SECURITY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOLAR ENERGY AS A COMPONENT OF UKRAINE’S ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive scientific and legal analysis of the public-legal foundations of the development, production and sale of solar electricity in Ukraine under martial law, post-war recovery and integration into the European energy space. It is noted that climate change, limited traditional energy resources, the country’s high dependence on imported energy carriers and the destruction of energy infrastructure due to the armed aggression of the Russian Federation make the development of renewable energy a key factor in ensuring energy security and sustainable development of Ukraine. Special emphasis is placed on solar energy as the most progressive and promising direction in the field of using renewable energy sources. The current regulatory framework regulating the issues of alternative and renewable energy is assessed. Legal acts were analyzed, including the Law of Ukraine “On Alternative Energy Sources”, “On Energy Efficiency”, as well as strategic documents, in particular the Energy Strategy of Ukraine until 2050. It was found that the existing legal regulation system provided the foundation for the development of solar energy and attracting investments, but at the same time it remains fragmented, unstable and has gaps. This negatively affects the predictability of state policy in the field and the investment attractiveness of the industry. State support mechanisms were separately considered, including the «green» tariff model. Despite the importance of its contribution to the development of solar energy capacities, a number of shortcomings were identified, including the lack of effective market mechanisms and balanced interests of market participants. The need to transition to modern competitive support models, improve legislative regulation in accordance with European standards and take into account Ukraine’s obligations within the Energy Community was emphasized. As a result, it is concluded that the development of solar energy in the current conditions has a strategic role in ensuring the stability of energy supply, decentralization of the energy system, protection of critical infrastructure and reduction of dependence on external energy sources. The need to implement a consistent, stable and transparent energy policy in the field of solar energy as a basis for ensuring energy independence, sustainable development and environmental security of the state is argued.