Anja Visagie
SPS
Chief Growth & Marketing Officer
Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS), a leading pan-African funder, developer, and operator of solar PV and battery storage plants in the Commercial & Industrial (C&I) market, has launched a new buyout model that transforms existing solar and battery systems into immediate capital for South African businesses.
Over the past decade, many companies have invested heavily in renewable energy to reduce electricity costs and mitigate the effects of loadshedding. While these systems continue to generate savings, the capital invested in them often restricts business growth and reinvestment opportunities. SPS’s new buyout model allows businesses to recover up to 100% of their original investment and, in some cases, related costs such as roof strengthening or facility upgrades, while still enjoying renewable energy savings and long-term system reliability.
Unlocking capital while securing savings
The buyout model involves SPS purchasing clients’ existing solar and battery systems and reimbursing them for the full installation costs. In exchange, businesses sign a 10 to 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with fixed tariffs, ensuring predictable electricity expenses.
This provides immediate capital relief for businesses, enabling funds to be reinvested into their core operations,” explains Anja Visagie, Chief Growth & Marketing Officer at SPS. “At the same time, enterprises continue to benefit from renewable energy savings and operational resilience, without bearing the operational, compliance, and maintenance burdens themselves.
Taking the hassle out of operations and maintenance
Many businesses underestimated the long-term requirements of managing solar and battery systems. Effective Operations and Maintenance (O&M) demands ongoing technical expertise, regular cleaning, and strict adherence to changing regulations. Systems that are poorly maintained or non-compliant can underperform, lose potential savings, and even become uninsurable.
SPS alleviates this burden by assuming full responsibility for compliance, insurance, and performance management. Clients can relax, knowing their systems are optimised, operating efficiently, and shielded against technical or regulatory issues.
“For most clients, the greatest relief is knowing they no longer have to manage these assets daily,” says Visagie. “They can be confident their systems are delivering maximum value.”
Predictability, flexibility, and risk reduction
The buyout model provides fixed PPA tariffs, offering clarity and security regarding future energy costs. It also features flexibility, enabling clients to buy back their systems later if they choose to regain ownership of the asset.
SPS’s financial backing, supported by British International Investment and other institutional shareholders, ensures systems stay compliant, insurable, and reliable throughout the contract period. “Our clients can focus on growing their businesses, while we guarantee their energy systems meet all technical and regulatory standards,” adds Visagie.
Transforming energy into capital and opportunity
By assisting businesses to recover capital invested in renewable energy assets, SPS offers financial flexibility, operational certainty, and ongoing energy savings. Strong interest in South Africa has led to plans for expanding this model across the continent, enabling industries to grow while optimising their energy systems.
“Energy has become a constraint rather than an enabler for too many businesses. By reducing risk, freeing up capital, and providing predictable costs, this model aims to make energy a practical enabler for growth,” concludes Visagie.