From Panels to Payments: How Pay-as-You-Go Solar Models Are Reaching New Customers in 2025 | SolSetu
From Panels to Payments: How Pay-as-You-Go Solar Models Are Reaching New Customers in 2025
Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) and subscription-based rooftop solar models are expanding access to clean power across cities and towns in 2025. By slicing upfront costs into manageable monthly payments, these models let renters, micro-entrepreneurs and low-income households benefit from rooftop solar without the usual capital barrier.
Who benefits most
- Renters and tenants who cannot install panels on their own roofs.
- Small shop owners and microbusinesses seeking predictable energy costs and resiliency.
- Low-income households that need low or no upfront investment options.
How the model typically works
Customers subscribe to a plan, pay a smaller initial deposit (or none at all), and remit a predictable monthly fee. The provider installs and maintains the assets, monitors performance remotely, and often guarantees minimum uptime. After the payment term, ownership may transfer to the customer or the contract can be renewed.
Questions consumers should ask
- Clear breakdown of monthly fees and any escalation clauses.
- Warranties on panels, inverters and batteries, and who pays for replacements.
- Service-level agreements (response times for repairs, uptime guarantees).
- Exit and transfer terms if the tenant moves or the property changes hands.
What vendors should prepare
Vendors building PAYG offerings should provide strong remote monitoring, transparent billing dashboards, flexible payment channels, and clear contracts that protect both users and investors. Partnerships with local microfinance providers and DISCOM-friendly settlement processes also accelerate uptake.
