EcoLight: autonomous lighting for the villages of Yaroshivka and Bezrukiv

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1. As everything was

Yaroshivka and Bezrukiv are villages within Solonytsivska hromada, between which there are no illuminated roads. People covered the distance on foot in the dark, bypassing ear potholes. Connecting to DTEK's centralized network in the frontline zone meant months of approvals, significant infrastructure costs and constant dependence on outages, which in the Kharkiv region during the winter season 2025-2026 were up to 15-19 hours a day.

The initiative group “EcoAction” decided not to wait and appealed to AMI.

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2. Impressive results

Six solar-powered autonomous LED lights are installed along the road between the villages. The equipment does not depend on a centralized network, does not require cable laying and works even during long blackouts. More than 750 residents, 113 families received direct benefits. The equipment is transferred to the balance of the community.

The project is included in the Development Strategy of Solonytsivska Hromada until 2027 as part of a systemic approach to energy independent infrastructure.

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3. Challenges and Achievements

The installation of the metal supports had to be postponed from winter to spring, as the soil and weather conditions did not allow for a high-quality installation. The equipment was delivered and delivered to the community on time, the work was completed after warming.

For the initiative group, the project was the first experience of working with grant funds. AMI accompanied the entire purchasing cycle.

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4. Impact on the community

Autonomous lighting in front-line villages solves several problems at once that a centralized network would not solve: independence from emergency blackouts, no need for permits from the power provider, quick installation without large-scale earthworks and minimal maintenance costs.

In villages where infrastructure has been hit by shelling, it is these solutions that restore basic security conditions faster than any other route.

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5. What the project left

Yaroshivka and Bezrukiv received illuminated roads for the first time. The community confirmed in practice that autonomous energy solutions in the frontline area are more efficient than dependence on a centralized grid and incorporated this approach into the strategic development plan.

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The project was implemented within the framework of the “Support for Community Initiatives” initiative with financial support from HEKS/EPER in coordination with the IfF “Alliance for Public Health”.