BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Enterprise  >  Open For Business  >  Okapi Solar - Breaking Barriers to Solar Panels on Your Roof?

Okapi Solar - Breaking Barriers to Solar Panels on Your Roof?

Lai Zhern Yung, Co-founder, Okapi Technologies | Christopher Kwong, Co-founder, Okapi Technologies

14-Aug-24 10:00

Okapi Solar - Breaking Barriers to Solar Panels on Your Roof?

How can homeowners make the switch to solar energy without breaking the bank?

Founded in 2022, Okapi Solar is on a mission to make solar power more accessible to homeowners by offering financing solutions that eliminate the high upfront costs typically associated with solar panel installations. Okapi buys the solar panels first, and then leases it to homeowners.

Zhern Yung and Christopher, both with backgrounds in banking and engineering, share their journey of leaving the corporate world to venture into entrepreneurship. They discuss the challenges and opportunities they’ve encountered in the solar energy sector, and how their experience has shaped Okapi’s approach to financing.

Okapi Solar’s financing plans are designed specifically for landed residential properties, allowing homeowners to install solar panels with zero upfront payment and fixed monthly lease payments over a period of up to 10 years. The co-founders delve into the company’s business model, the balance between raising and deploying funds, and the importance of evaluating customer creditworthiness to maintain a healthy business.

As Okapi Solar targets financing 100 residential solar energy systems per month by the first quarter of 2025, Zhern Yung and Christopher also discuss their future plans, including scaling their operations, expanding partnerships with solar installers, and much more.

Tune in to learn how Okapi Technologies is lowering the barrier to solar power adoption, and what lies ahead for this innovative startup.

Produced by: Roshan Kanesan, Kishan Sivaswamy

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  technologyeconomyCorporatesmanagingmarketsenvironmententrepreneurs

Tags:  solar financing platformsolar panelsolar energy





Play / Pause

Listen now : The 6AM Stretch: Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our...

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Managementtells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Dr. James Dorsey of RSIS discusses the ceasefire in Gaza.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Dr. Saizal Pinjaman of UMS discusses Budget 2026 allocations for Sabah and Sarawak.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Dr Javid Abdelmoneim, International President of Médecins Sans Frontières discusses delivering care in war zones, staying neutral, and leading in crisis.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Dr Khor Swee Kheng, CEO, Angsana Health & Specialist in Public Policies discusses healthcare measures in Budget 2026.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Pankaj C. Kumar, Business Commentator on areas where Budget 2026 falls short.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) We bring you the latest on Bursa Malaysia and international capital markets.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

Soong Wei Siang, Regional Head of Consumer, RHB Research discusses Budget 2026 impact on consumer sectors including the implementation of excise tax.

9:35 AM

People, Planet, Profit

Dr. Renard Siew, a Climate Change and Sustainability Expert discusses how Budget 2026’s green measures could shape Malaysia’s path toward net zero.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Pavel Bains, CEO, Ambitionz, on game development with AI.

11:00 AM

Marketing Mojo

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Datuk William Ng, National President, SAMENTA, discusses what the Budget 2026 means for SMEs and MTCs.

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Our flagship show, we feature both game-changers and groundbreakers in the hot seat.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Beyond the Ballot Box

Does Budget 2026 address the needs of ordinary Malaysians? We unpack it from the perspective of housing, pensions, social services and more.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

For children with serious and life-limiting illnesses, palliative care can make a world of difference, while still letting them simply be children. Hear from two experts on how.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Talkback Tuesday

8:00 PM

BBC World Service

How should you complain to a restaurant if the food and services are not up to par? This is the topic that this episode of The Food Chain will try to unpack.