Orb Energy Secures Follow-On Funding from US DFI

Bangalore-based Orb Energy, a vertically integrated provider of solar energy solutions in India, announced today that it has received a $20 million USD follow-on loan from United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to support its unique in-house financing facility for rooftop and ground mounted solar customers in India.

Damian Miller, the CEO and Co-founder of Orb Energy explained, “We are delighted that the DFC has decided to back Orb Energy again with a second loan of $20 million USD. We will be using these funds to extend further finance to our SME customers to enable them to gain quick and easy access to rooftop and ground-mounted solar systems from Orb that can dramatically improve their competitiveness.”

Jake Levine, DFC’s Chief Climate Officer said, “DFC’s second loan to Orb Energy will further expand renewable energy use by SMEs across India. With DFC’s loan, Orb Energy’s work will create additional jobs and cut energy costs for businesses, boosting economic growth in a sector that is key to India’s development goals.”

Orb Energy manufactures its own range of solar panels, design, installs and services solar systems, and also provides critical finance for up to five years to its commercial and industrial customers. Notably, Orb is unique in providing to SMEs that find it difficult to otherwise secure long-term finance for rooftop and ground mounted solar. Orb received its first loan from DFC for $10 million USD, also to support its in-house finance for SMEs.

About DFC

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is America’s development finance institution. DFC partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today. DFC makes investments in a variety of industries, including energy, healthcare, critical infrastructure, and technology. DFC also provides finance to small businesses and women entrepreneurs in order to help them create jobs in emerging markets.

Since it inception in 2006 by Damian Miller and NP Ramesh, Orb Energy has sold more than 160,000 solar systems in India, with cumulative installations of approximately 170 MW of rooftop solar systems. Orb also has a subsidiary in Kenya serving the African market.