SMU Assistant Professor Bhavani Shanker highlighted that private solar companies, over the past decade, have offered pay-as-you-go (PAYGo) solar panels to impoverished communities in Asia and Africa. This system allows flexible payments but has led to delays and defaults, threatening the financial viability of these companies. Bankruptcies result in poor families losing their access to electricity, which boosts job creation and education. Many customers are unaware that their payments are insufficient, leading to equipment repossessions. Asst Prof Shanker suggested better ways to help consumers understand their payment status and its impact on their access to electricity.
