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

Tim Mulholland, President, TJM Limited, Chicago tells 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

We break down the day’s top news with expert insights.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

We break down the day’s top news with expert insights.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, discusses the government’s initiatives on gender equality, child protection reforms, and key political developments in Sarawak.

8:30 AM

The Breakfast Grille (EXTENDED)

Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, discusses the government’s initiatives on gender equality, child protection reforms, and key political developments in Sarawak.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Dr. Amit Ranjan of the Institute of South Asian Studies discusses Nepal’s political future following the elections.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Tim Mulholland, President, TJM Limited, Chicago tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) We take a look at the FBM KLCI as well as regional capital markets.

9:35 AM

What's The Focus

We wrap up the week’s biggest conversations to keep you in the know.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Advanced diagnostics are often confined to centralised laboratories, making them technically impressive but difficult to access for many who need them. We speak with Zainiharyati Mohd Zain, Founder of Ablesen, a Malaysian deep-tech startup building sensor-based diagnostic platforms designed for use beyond traditional lab environments. Selected as a top startup in the 2025 PACE Bootcamp by ARTEM Ventures, Ablesen is currently moving from prototype to early commercialisation.

11:00 AM

Mattsplained

Matt Armitage, Founder, Kulturpop

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Rajen Devadason, CEO, RD WealthCreation

1:00 PM

Breakfast Grille (REPEAT)

Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, discusses the government’s initiatives on gender equality, child protection reforms, and key political developments in Sarawak.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

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

3:05 PM

Front Row

Two monumental works by Johannes Brahms take centre stage in an upcoming chamber music performance. We find out what’s in store from cellist Ivan Torres.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Doctor in the House

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

A countdown of the 5 biggest stories of the day, to catch you up on all you need to know!

6:00 PM

Popcorn Culture

7:00 PM

Just For Kicks

8:00 PM

Bar None

9:00 PM

The Selector