When it comes to affordability of home solar, a campaign to mobilise European capital to finance installations in Malaysia is democratising access to clean energy by removing the obstacle of upfront cost.
The Goparity investor community is financing a new project by Aquila, an international group specialising in climate finance in Southeast Asia, to expand access to residential solar energy in Malaysia.
Promoting sustainable and accessible solutions, the campaign aims to raise €300k, mobilising capital to accelerate the energy transition in one of the emerging markets with highest growth in electricity demand.
No upfront investment
The funds will be channeled to Okapi, a Malaysian company that installs home solar systems with no upfront investment required. It offers long-term payment plans that facilitate access to renewables and reduce financial barriers. Aquila is responsible for structuring the financing, enabling new installations across multiple regions of the country to support families and small businesses in the energy transition.
Malaysia represents new territory for investors, says Nuno Brito Jorge, CEO and co-founder of Goparity:
“Entering Southeast Asia marks an important milestone in diversifying our investment portfolio. We already offer diversification by company and by sector, and now we’re expanding that principle geographically — opening a new region where our investor community can create meaningful impact.”
Cross-country collaboration helps bridge the affordability gap, adds Stefano Pellegrino, CEO of Aquila:
“Southeast Asia is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing solar markets, yet access to financing remains the single biggest barrier to adoption. This partnership is about changing that, by connecting European capital with high-quality clean energy opportunities in the region, making access open to everyone.”
Cutting carbon emissions and costs
The project plans the installation of 58 photovoltaic systems, with a total capacity of 495kWp and an estimated annual production of 696MWh of clean energy. This volume will allow the avoidance of approximately 538 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to the absorption of around 24,500 trees.
Beyond the environmental impact, the initiative will benefit between 60 and 70 families and small businesses, providing access to energy and a significant reduction in energy costs.
It is estimated that users could achieve cumulative savings of around $470k over five years, thanks to a model that eliminates the upfront investment and reduces the electricity bill from the very first month.
The initiative comes at a time when Southeast Asia has been accelerating the transition towards a more sustainable energy model, driven by economic growth, industrialisation, and rising in energy demand.
Despite the potential of residential solar energy, access to financing remains one of the main obstacles. Studies show that upfront cost is key and one of the determining factors in solar energy adoption.
Acting as a bridge between European investors and local or regional impact projects, Goparity helps drive clean energy initiatives in emerging markets, generating environmental, social, and economic benefits. This campaign reinforces the role of capital in mobilising resources for the transition at a global level.
Supporting people and creating jobs
Goparity works to democratise access to sustainable finance, connecting companies and individuals who wish to invest in projects with a positive impact on people and the planet. Since its founding, the platform has already financed more than 400 impact projects — aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals — across three continents, with a total of over €50M invested.
Projects financed have already positively supported more than 86,000 people, created more than 4,000 jobs, and help avoid the emission of more than 30,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere every year.
Further Reading:
- More about the Goparity investor community; and the project by Aquila in Malaysia;
- More about Singapore-based climate finance specialists Aquila;
- More about Malaysian installer of home solar systems Okapi;
- Also on SustMeme, What happens when clean energy fails to deliver?
- Also on SustMeme, Clean energy deal to power 1 in 10 homes in Spain;
- Also on SustMeme, 91% renewable energy projects now cheaper option;
- Also on SustMeme, Machine learning helps map solar and green roofs;
- Also on SustMeme, Record, but inequitable, growth in renewables;
- Also on SustMeme, Energy transition to add 40 million jobs by 2050;
- Also on SustMeme, Solar and wind now cheapest for 2 in 3 people worldwide.
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