Articles by Willem Nolens
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Guest Articles
Thursday
October 29
2026PAYGo’s Credit Problem is Putting Off-Grid Solar at Risk: Why the Sector Needs to Separate Sales from Lending
Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGo) solar has brought light and power to millions of rural households, demonstrating that they will use the installment payment model to purchase assets that improve their lives. But as Willem Nolens at in24 argues, the sector is now confronting a credit problem that puts both PAYGo businesses and their customers at risk, as low repayment rates are leading to power and asset loss among households across sub-Saharan Africa. He explores the causes of this challenge, and argues that the solution lies in splitting the sales and lending elements of PAYGO solar into separate providers.
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Guest Articles
Monday
April 14
2025Ending the Vicious Circle in PAYGo Solar: How Companies and Investors Can Move the Sector Toward ‘PAYGo 2.0’
The Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGo) solar industry is facing decreases in both sales and investment capital, as rising customer default rates are driving a vicious circle of worsened unit economics and higher product prices. However, as Dan Murphy and Willem Nolens at PAYGo Lab explain, some companies are thriving by implementing systems to improve customer selection, education and support — an approach often referred to as "PAYGo 2.0." They analyze the industry’s challenges and share key lessons and best practices that can enhance its operational efficiency, financial resilience and sustainable growth.
- Categories
- Energy, Environment, Finance, Investing
