Pay-to-own solar provider Fenix International makes waves in Ugandan off-grid solar

January 23, 2017
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Off-grid solar is taking off in Uganda, according to Fenix International and its ReadyPay Power residential PV product. Source: Fenix International

A pay-to-own solar system provider known as Fenix International has doubled its off-grid customer base in just 12 months of operation.

Reaching 100,000 customers in Uganda this month, the company has surpassed this milestone within just a few years of its inception in 2014.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Crediting the move to off-grid solutions to solve Africa’s chronic energy access problem, Fenix has installed its flagship solar system ReadyPay Power in many homes in Uganda; where more than 80% of people lack access to electricity, and has displaced 200,000 kerosene lamps with its product.

Fenix adopts a pay-to-own payment plan for its product, which is a popular business model in Sub Saharan Africa. Under the company’s current plan, customers can pay just US$0.15 per day for the entry level product, with 36 months to complete payment for the entry level US$160 solar home system; which constitutes what is claimed to be the most affordable pay-to-own residential system in Uganda.

Hitting the 100,000 customer milestone brings the total of solar leases deployed by Fenix to more than US$20 million.

“Arriving at 100,000 customers showcases our fantastic growth record, but more importantly it represents more than 600,000 Ugandans who now have power and bright, safe light in their homes for the very first time,” said company CEO Lyndsay Handler. “In addition, all of our off-grid customers build up a credit score, opening up new access to financial services and additional product upgrades.”

Read Next

Premium
February 26, 2026
Analysis: As new duties threaten to block PV producers from India, Laos and Indonesia from the US market, the outcome of the Section 232 polysilicon investigation could put an end to the question of who will be next.
February 25, 2026
Clean energy investment in the US remained resilient in 2025 despite political volatility and accelerated tax credit deadlines, reports Crux.
February 24, 2026
Wooderson Solar Development Co has secured federal environmental approval for a 450MW solar PV power plant with 3,600MWh of co-located battery energy storage in Queensland, Australia.
February 24, 2026
FTC Solar has signed a three-year supply agreement with Lubanzi Inala to provide solar tracker systems for multiple utility-scale projects across South Africa.
February 24, 2026
Comstock and its subsidiary Comstock Metals have received certification from California’s DTSC to recycle universal waste and process PV modules at their California facility. 
February 23, 2026
GameChange Energy has acquired the electrical balance-of-system division of Terrasmart, a US provider of tracker, racking and wiring solutions.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain