KUALA LUMPUR: United Overseas Bank (UOB) yesterday launched U-Solar, the first solar industry ecosystem in Asia to power the development and adoption of renewable energy across Southeast Asia.
Malaysia is the first Asean country in which UOB is rolling out its U-Solar ecosystem.
Through U-Solar, the bank offers a suite of financial solutions to support the solar power value chain, from solar project developers, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors, as well as the end-users of solar power, including consumers and companies, according to UOB in a statement.
In supporting the growth of the solar power industry, UOB provides solar project developers with solutions in green financing, such as sukuk, project loans and portfolio financing, as well as cash management services.
For EPC contractors, UOB offers end-to-end contract-based financing solutions, from bid bonds and letters of credit issuance to performance guarantees and working capital facilities.
Through U-Solar’s online portal, the bank also connects these industry players to potential customers seeking solar power solutions for their factories, offices or homes.
To promote the adoption of solar power by the end-users which include companies and consumers, U-Solar offers a one-stop shop for them to plug easily into the services offered by UOB’s partners across the region. They can also tap UOB’s financing solutions for the installation, operation and maintenance of solar power systems based on their business or personal needs in making the switch to solar power.
The launch of U-Solar in Malaysia yesterday was officiated by Yeo Bee Yin, Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change, Malaysia (MESTECC).
UOB Malaysia’s collaboration with leading local solar energy service providers, starting with ERS Energy, PlusSolar and Solarvest, will offer installation, commissioning, operations and after-sales service packages for solar power systems to help business and home owners.
Wong Kim Choong, chief executive officer of UOB Malaysia, said, “Through our research and engagement with our customers, we observed that many of them think that using solar power requires intensive upfront capital and is costly to maintain.
“With U-Solar, we hope to help our customers understand better the benefits of using solar power and to address their concern of costs by providing them with flexible repayment plans at competitive market rates.”
U-Solar offers two flexible solutions to help Malaysian companies adopt solar power with little upfront capital. Companies can purchase a solar power system for their factory or office with the U-Solar green loan offered by UOB Malaysia, and can also apply for a two per cent rebate under the government’s Green Technology Financing Scheme 2.01 for their purchase.
They can also benefit from the government’s tax incentives under the Green Investment Tax Allowance and Green Investment Tax Exemption schemes. Alternatively, businesses can sign up for a long-term solar power leasing agreement with the Bank’s U-Solar partners.
For home owners, UOB Malaysia offers on U-Solar’s online portal a zero per cent interest instalment plan of up to 36 months3 for the purchase of a solar power system. Customers can also enjoy zero upfront costs for services provided by the Bank’s U-Solar partners including on-site assessment, installation and maintenance of their solar power panels and systems at their residences.
