Discom-led RESCO model is a version of the RESCO model in the residential sector where the discoms will undertake facilitation and payment collection.
Benefits to discoms
  1. Discoms could have an additional revenue stream with the collection fee charged for billing and payment collection.
Benefits to consumers
  1. Those consumers who cannot afford to pay the upfront cost can buy solar energy on a monthly basis and get the subsequent benefits.
  2. Aggregated procurement by the discom can ensure better quality of installation.
  3. Regular operations and maintenance undertaken by the developer ensures better performance of the system.
Benefits to developers
  1. Developers get access to new customer segments who could not afford rooftop solar system otherwise.
  2. Identification and aggregation of consumers by the discoms leads to reduced customer acquisition and business development costs for the developers.
  3. On-bill payment collection reduces the risk of payment default.
Source : Utility-centric Business Models for Rooftop Solar Models (USAID, 2008)
  • Target Consumer Segment
    Consumers with exclusive roof access. Those consumers who cannot bear the upfront cost of solar system installation
  • Location
    Residential building, office spaces and other buildings with exclusive roof access
  • Asset Ownership
    Third-party
  • Metering Arrangement
    Net-metering
  • Role of Discom
    Payment collection, facilitation
  • Level of involvement by utility
    Low
  • Need for partnerships
    Low
  • Revenue to DISCOM
    Low
  • Skill Requirement
    Low
  • Risk to Utility
    Medium