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 introduced a new buyout model that enables companies to convert existing solar and battery systems into immediate capital.
Over the past decade, many businesses invested substantially in renewable energy to reduce their electricity costs and mitigate the impact of load shedding. While these systems continue to deliver savings, the capital tied up in them has, for some companies, limited business growth and reinvestment opportunities. With a new buyout model, SPS enables businesses to recover up to 100% of their original investment and, in some cases, related costs such as roof strengthening or facility upgrades, and still benefit from renewable energy savings and long-term system reliability.
Unlocking capital and securing savings
Through the buyout model, SPS purchases clients’ existing solar and battery systems and reimburses them for the full installation cost. In return, businesses commit to a 10- to 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), with fixed tariffs, providing predictable electricity costs.
“This offers businesses immediate capital relief, allowing them to reinvest funds into their core operations,” says Anja Visagie, Chief Growth & Marketing Officer at SPS. “At the same time, the companies continue to benefit from renewable energy savings and operational resilience, without carrying the operational, compliance, and maintenance burdens themselves.”
Handling operations and maintenance
Many businesses underestimate the long-term demands of managing solar and battery systems. Effective operations and maintenance (O&M) requires technical expertise, regular cleaning, and strict compliance with evolving regulations. Systems that are poorly maintained or non-compliant can underperform, which means companies lose potential savings, and the systems may become uninsurable.
SPS removes this burden by taking full responsibility for compliance, insurance, and performance management. Clients are assured that their systems are optimised, running efficiently, and protected against technical or regulatory issues.
The SPS buyout model enables businesses to recover up to 100% of their original investment with a return commitment to a 10- to 20-year PPA, with fixed tariffs.
“For most clients, the greatest relief is knowing they no longer have to manage these assets day-to-day,” says Visagie. “They can be confident their systems are delivering maximum value.”
Reduced risk
The buyout model offers fixed PPA tariffs, providing clarity and security over future energy costs. It also includes flexibility, allowing clients to buy back their systems in the future if they wish to re-own the asset.
SPS’s financial backing, supported by British International Investment and other institutional shareholders, ensures systems remain compliant, insurable, and reliable throughout the contract period. “Our clients can focus on growing their businesses, while we ensure their energy systems meet all technical and regulatory standards,” Visagie adds.
Supporting growth
By helping businesses reclaim capital tied up in renewable energy assets, SPS supports financial flexibility, operational certainty, and sustained energy savings. Strong interest in South Africa has prompted plans to expand this model across the continent, enabling industries to grow and at the same time benefit from optimised energy systems.
“For many businesses, energy has become a constraint instead of an enabler,” says Visagie. “By reducing risk, freeing up capital, and providing predictable costs, the SPS model aims to make energy a practical enabler for growth.”
For more information visit: SPS Africa
