Solar power firm to finance and build small plants for companies

 

 

 

Solars at the Talek Community Solar Hybrid Mini-grid Project.

Solar specialist Solarcentury announced on Wednesday that it would finance and build solar power systems for companies keen to install them but do not have the capital.

This follows a partnership between the company and energy financier CrossBoundary Energy.

The firm said Wednesday in a statement the partnership would enable more companies in Kenya and the region to put up their own solar-powered electricity plants as it eliminates the barrier of high costs that local firms have cited. Solarcentury has built solar plants for such establishments as the Garden City Mall, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology and London Distillers.

It said teaming up with CrossBoundary Energy would enable it to offer financed solar solutions to a portfolio of commercial and industrial customers in Africa.

“The financed offer now means that the challenge of upfront capital expenditure has been taken away from the client. Now the client or business owner can choose whether they want a lease agreement or power purchase agreement.

In both options, they can eventually own the power plant, but there is no need for upfront capex,” said Africa Director for Solarcentury Daniel Davies. He said firms can get the relevant facilities and funding at a go.