Orb Energy

Orb Energy is a privately held solar energy company headquartered in Bengaluru, India. Founded in 2006 by Damian Miller and N. P. Ramesh, it began by developing and distributing solar-energy solutions for customers that had limited access to reliable electricity and conventional project finance. The company’s business combines solar photovoltaic manufacturing, system design, engineering, installation, operations, and customer financing rather than focusing only on the sale of panels. Orb started operations with a branch in Kumta, Karnataka, and subsequently expanded its Indian distribution and service network. By 2015, it had more than 100 branches across Karnataka, giving it a local presence in a market where customer acquisition, installation quality, maintenance, and financing are important to rooftop-solar adoption. Its Indian activities later extended beyond smaller rural and residential systems to larger commercial and industrial installations. Orb also operates an in-house solar-panel manufacturing facility in Bengaluru and is listed under India’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers, or ALMM, for eligible solar modules. A defining element of Orb Energy’s model is financing. In 2016, the company introduced an in-house financing program intended particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. The program was designed to reduce the upfront-cost barrier associated with rooftop photovoltaic systems, including through zero-collateral structures cited in company and industry descriptions. By January 2025, Orb reported that its financing activities had supported ₹300 crore of SME solar adoption. The company has used external capital, including development-finance debt and equity, to expand this lending and deployment model. Orb expanded internationally in 2014 by establishing a Kenyan subsidiary. In Kenya, it adapted its Indian model of solar sales, installation, and financing to commercial and industrial customers and to the broader rooftop-solar market. The company has increasingly pursued larger systems in both markets. In September 2025, it delivered a 2.9 MW rooftop installation for Mabati Rolling Mills in Kenya, reflecting its movement toward substantial industrial projects. The company also develops and operates larger solar assets. In May 2024, it inaugurated a 35 MW direct-current ground-mounted solar park at Arsikere in Karnataka. The 110-acre project was reported as capable of producing approximately 5.24 crore units of electricity annually and reducing carbon-dioxide emissions by about 45,000 tonnes per year. By January 2025, Orb stated that it had deployed approximately 350 MW of photovoltaic capacity in India, with a direct presence concentrated in southern and western parts of the country. Orb has attracted capital from impact investors, development-finance institutions, and strategic investors. Acumen Fund invested in 2011 to support rural solar lighting, manufacturing expansion, and product development. In 2018, Orb obtained $15 million in combined equity and debt financing from FMO and OPIC. Shell acquired an approximately 20% stake in 2019, linking the investment to Shell’s ambition to improve electricity access in developing countries. In 2022, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation committed a $20 million loan to support Orb’s financing program for rooftop and ground-mounted solar projects. The company began a Series D fundraising process in 2024, reportedly targeting $48 million, although the eventual outcome is not established in the supplied material. Orb has received recognition for both its access-oriented business model and project execution. It was first runner-up in the SME and NGO category of the 2012 Zayed Future Energy Prize and received a US$1 million prize. In 2021, it won the Best C&I Project (Rooftop) category at the Mercom India Solar Awards for a 3 MW rooftop system installed for Klene Paks Limited in Karnataka. The project used more than 9,000 modules and remote monitoring technology. Industry research has identified Orb among India’s leading rooftop-solar companies, although rankings vary by methodology and period.

Orb Energy was founded in 2006 by Damian Miller and N. P. Ramesh and began operations in Kumta, Karnataka. Its early model focused on making solar products and services available to customers outside the conventional electricity and finance systems. The company expanded through a local branch and service network, reaching more than 100 branches across Karnataka by 2015. The company’s activities developed into an integrated solar business. Orb manufactures solar panels at an in-house facility in Bengaluru and designs, installs, and services photovoltaic systems. It is included on India’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers, an important qualification for modules used in projects subject to the country’s procurement rules. The company has served residential and rural users while gradually increasing its focus on commercial and industrial customers and larger-capacity systems. Orb’s international expansion began in 2014 with the creation of a Kenyan subsidiary. Kenya became the company’s principal overseas market and a test of its approach outside India. Orb carried over a model based on local sales and technical support, turnkey installation, and financing. Its later Kenyan work included larger commercial and industrial rooftop systems. Financing has been central to the company’s strategy. In 2016, Orb created an in-house finance platform for small and medium-sized enterprises seeking rooftop solar. The objective was to reduce the upfront capital requirement and other barriers that often prevent SMEs from installing photovoltaic systems. Orb’s financing model has been described as zero-collateral in some company and industry materials. By January 2025, the company reported having financed ₹300 crore of SME solar adoption. Orb raised $1.1 million from Acumen Fund in June 2011 for rural solar lighting, manufacturing expansion, and product development. It later secured $15 million in combined equity and debt from FMO and OPIC in July 2018. In October 2019, Shell acquired an approximately 20% stake. The strategic investment was associated with Shell’s objective of helping provide reliable electricity to 100 million people in developing countries by 2030. In October 2022, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation provided a $20 million loan to support Orb’s rooftop and ground-mounted solar financing program. In September 2024, Orb started a Series D fundraising process reportedly targeting $48 million, but the supplied material does not confirm whether the round closed or on what terms. The company has also developed utility-scale and industrial projects. In May 2024, it inaugurated a 35 MW DC ground-mounted solar park at Arsikere, Karnataka. The 110-acre facility was reported to have expected annual generation of 5.24 crore electricity units and anticipated annual carbon-dioxide reductions of roughly 45,000 tonnes. By January 2025, Orb reported approximately 350 MW of photovoltaic installations across India, with direct operations concentrated in southern and western regions. Recognition has included the 2012 Zayed Future Energy Prize, where Orb was first runner-up in the SME and NGO category and received US$1 million. In 2021, the company received the Best C&I Project (Rooftop) award at the Mercom India Solar Awards for a 3 MW installation for Klene Paks Limited in Karnataka. That project included more than 9,000 modules and remote monitoring. Orb has also been identified by JMK Research as one of India’s leading rooftop-solar companies, although such rankings are dependent on the reporting period and methodology. In September 2025, Orb delivered a 2.9 MW rooftop project for Mabati Rolling Mills in Kenya, demonstrating its continued expansion into larger commercial and industrial projects.

• 2025

  Reported Indian deployment reaches approximately 350 MW

  [1]Orb Energyen.wikipedia.org

  Orb reported approximately 350 MW of photovoltaic installations across India as of January 2025.

• 2024

  Arsikere solar park inaugurated

  [1]Orb Energyen.wikipedia.org

  Orb inaugurated a 35 MW DC ground-mounted solar park in Arsikere, Karnataka.

• 2022

  DFC loan

  [1]Orb Energyen.wikipedia.org

  The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation provided a reported $20 million loan for Orb’s solar-financing program.

• 2021

  Mercom India rooftop award

  [1]Orb Energyen.wikipedia.org

  Orb won Best C&I Project (Rooftop) for its 3 MW Klene Paks installation in Karnataka.

• 2019

  Shell takes an approximately 20% stake

  [1]Orb Energyen.wikipedia.org

  Shell acquired an approximately 20% interest in Orb Energy.

• 2018

  FMO and OPIC financing

  [1]Orb Energyen.wikipedia.org

  Orb secured reported equity and debt financing totaling $15 million from FMO and OPIC.

• 2016

  In-house SME financing introduced

  [1]Orb Energyen.wikipedia.org

  The company launched an internal financing scheme to help SMEs adopt rooftop solar photovoltaic systems.

• 2015

  Karnataka network exceeds 100 branches

  [1]Orb Energyen.wikipedia.org

  Orb had expanded to more than 100 branches across Karnataka.

• 2014

  Kenyan subsidiary launched

  [1]Orb Energyen.wikipedia.org

  Orb expanded into Africa by establishing operations in Kenya.

• 2012

  Zayed Future Energy Prize recognition

  [1]Orb Energyen.wikipedia.org

  Orb was first runner-up in the SME and NGO category and received a US$1 million prize.

• 2011

  Acumen Fund investment

  [1]Orb Energyen.wikipedia.org

  Acumen Fund invested $1.1 million to support rural solar lighting, manufacturing scale-up, and product development.

• 2006

  Orb Energy begins operations in Karnataka

  [1]Orb Energyen.wikipedia.org

  Orb Energy was founded and opened its first branch in Kumta, India.

An integrated, access-oriented solar provider combining photovoltaic manufacturing and deployment with in-house financing, especially for Indian SMEs and commercial and industrial customers.

• Solar equipment

  Solar photovoltaic modules

  Orb manufactures solar panels at its Bengaluru facility and is listed under India’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers. The modules form part of the company’s integrated offering for rooftop, ground-mounted, residential, commercial, and industrial photovoltaic projects.

• Solar generation systems

  Rooftop solar systems

  Orb designs and installs rooftop photovoltaic systems for homes, businesses, and industrial facilities. Its offering can include project development, engineering, installation, monitoring, operations, and maintenance, with financing options intended to lower the initial investment required by customers.

• Energy finance · 2016

  SME solar financing

  Introduced in 2016, Orb’s in-house financing program helps small and medium-sized enterprises fund rooftop and other solar installations. The model is designed to address the upfront-cost and collateral constraints that can limit SME adoption of photovoltaic systems.

• Solar generation systems

  Ground-mounted solar projects

  Orb develops larger ground-mounted photovoltaic projects in addition to rooftop systems. Its 35 MW DC Arsikere project in Karnataka illustrates the company’s expansion from distributed solar installations into larger generation assets.

• 2024

  Develop and inaugurate the Arsikere solar parkProduct launch

  Background

  Orb expanded its project scope beyond distributed rooftop systems toward larger ground-mounted solar generation.

  Action taken

  The company inaugurated its first reported 35 MW DC ground-mounted solar park at Arsikere, Karnataka, covering approximately 110 acres.

  Aftermath

  The facility was expected to generate approximately 5.24 crore electricity units annually and avoid about 45,000 tonnes of carbon-dioxide emissions each year.

  Source

• 2024

  Begin Series D fundraisingStrategy

  Background

  Orb sought additional capital to expand its solar deployment and financing activities.

  Action taken

  The company began a Series D fundraising process reportedly targeting $48 million.

  Aftermath

  The supplied material does not establish whether the fundraising closed or identify its final terms.

  Reported fundraising target. $48 million target (September 2024)

  Source

• 2016

  Create an in-house financing platform for SMEsStrategy

  Background

  Upfront system costs and limited access to suitable credit were identified as barriers to rooftop-solar adoption by small and medium-sized businesses.

  Action taken

  Orb introduced internal financing for SME rooftop photovoltaic projects, including structures described as zero-collateral financing.

  Aftermath

  Orb reported that the program had supported ₹300 crore of SME solar adoption by January 2025.

  SME solar financing facilitated. ₹300 crore (As of January 2025)

  Source

• 2014

  Enter the Kenyan solar marketStrategy

  Background

  After building an Indian distribution and service model, Orb sought to extend its solar and financing capabilities into another developing-market electricity sector.

  Action taken

  Orb established a subsidiary in Kenya and adapted its integrated sales, installation, and financing approach for African customers.

  Aftermath

  The Kenyan business became a platform for commercial and industrial rooftop projects, including a reported 2.9 MW installation for Mabati Rolling Mills in 2025.

  Source

1. 1Orb Energyen.wikipedia.org