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In a move aimed at accelerating solar adoption across Sri Lanka, Hayleys Solar, Sri Lanka’s No. 1 solar energy provider, has joined forces with PMF Finance PLC to provide accessible financing solutions that help residential and commercial customers invest in clean energy with greater ease and confidence.

The partnership brings together Hayleys Solar’s extensive expertise in renewable energy and PMF Finance PLC’s over 43 years of experience in Sri Lanka’s financial services sector, creating a seamless pathway for customers seeking to invest in sustainable energy solutions.

Customers will gain access to customised financing solutions designed to reduce the upfront cost of solar installations, enabling greater long-term savings on electricity bills while supporting Sri Lanka’s transition towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future.

Speaking on the partnership, Mr Roshane Perera, Deputy Managing Director – Energy, Hayleys Fentons, stated:

“This partnership with PMF Finance PLC marks an important step in our mission to make solar energy more accessible to a wider segment of society. By integrating flexible financing solutions with our renewable energy offerings, we are enabling more customers to confidently invest in clean energy while enjoying long-term financial and environmental benefits.”

Commenting on the collaboration, Prof. (Dr) Dewasiri N. Jayantha, Director/Chief Executive Officer of PMF Finance PLC, stated:

“We are pleased to collaborate with Hayleys Solar in supporting Sri Lanka’s transition towards sustainable energy. Through our financing solutions, we aim to make solar adoption more achievable for customers by easing financial constraints and providing convenient repayment options.”

About Hayleys Solar

Hayleys Solar, the renewable energy arm of Hayleys Fentons Limited, predominantly focuses on solar PV installations for the residential, commercial, and industrial market segments, as well as utility-scale projects, enabling greater utilisation of sustainable energy resources in the country. Hayleys Solar has completed over 500 MWp of solar installations island-wide by the end of 2025, making  Hayleys Solar the undisputed leader in Solar Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) in Sri Lanka.

About PMF Finance PLC
PMF Finance PLC is a licensed finance company in Sri Lanka, providing a range of financial solutions designed to support individuals and businesses in achieving their financial goals. The company focuses on delivering accessible and flexible financing options, including leasing, personal loans, and other credit facilities, with an emphasis on customer convenience and service excellence. PMF Finance PLC continues to play a supportive role in enabling financial empowerment and contributing to economic growth by helping customers invest in opportunities that improve their quality of life and business development.

Strapline: Enjoy stable, long-term savings now with Hayleys Solar

Ayanthi Udugampola

Pictures by Sudath Malaweera

Due to rising electricity tariffs, both domestic consumers and local industries are under severe pressure, as production costs and commodity prices have increased. The most effective and timely solution for both domestic and large-scale sectors is to transition towards renewable energy.

Roshene Perera, Deputy Managing Director – Energy of Hayleys Fentons, currently Sri Lanka’s number one solar energy solutions provider and a pioneer in the field, shares insights into the company’s successful journey.

“Fentons, one of Sri Lanka’s oldest electrical engineering institutions with a 106-year history, became ‘Hayleys Fentons’ after being acquired by the Hayleys Group in 2016. Its existing ‘Fentons Solar’ division is what we now successfully operate under the ‘Hayleys Solar’ brand as the renewable energy arm of Hayleys Fentons.

Starting as a project contractor in its early stages, Hayleys Solar has now grown into Sri Lanka’s largest solar energy company. Out of the country’s total rooftop solar capacity of 2,000 to 2,200 MW, the company has contributed over 500 MW. This represents a market share of 22% to 25%, clearly demonstrating that Hayleys Solar consistently maintains its leading position among more than 700 renewable energy companies registered with the Sustainable Energy Authority.

Two years ago, through a competitive state tender process, Hayleys Solar successfully secured large-scale ground-mounted solar energy projects of 11 MW and 138 MW. Construction of these 149 MW projects, which consist of 38 sites spread across the island, is currently in its final stages. Our goal is to add this entire capacity to the national grid by December this year, with the flagship initiative among these being the 17 MW Polonnaruwa solar energy project. Additionally, two further projects secured by the company, a 50 MW project in Jaffna and a 100 MW project in Trincomalee are scheduled for implementation over the next two years. With the completion of these projects, the company aims to reach an overall target capacity of 750 to 800 MW in the near future.

At the same time, we have successfully secured a 50 MW wind energy project in Mannar Island through a Ceylon Electricity Board tender. By outbidding other local and international companies with an extremely competitive low price, winning this project as a local company has helped retain a significant amount of foreign exchange that would otherwise have flowed overseas.

Under this project, 10 large 5 MW wind turbines featuring 110-metre-high towers and 76-metre-long blades are scheduled to be installed. All turbines will be transported from Trincomalee Port to Mannar within the next four months, and transportation will be carried out exclusively at night to minimise traffic congestion and public inconvenience. Furthermore, the project is expected to be added to the national grid by December this year. Accordingly, Hayleys Solar’s ultimate goal is to contribute a total capacity of 250 MW to the national grid by December this year through combined solar and wind energy projects.

Today, countries such as the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia exchange electricity through the ASEAN Grid, while India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan do so via similar interconnections. Since Sri Lanka is still lagging behind in this regard, it must overcome existing barriers and develop the capability to connect efficiently with the South Asian electricity grid.

Moreover, even if global crude oil prices or the value of the US dollar fluctuates, the cost of renewable energy remains stable, which is a major advantage. For example, if the cost of a generated unit of electricity is 20 rupees, that price can remain stable for the next 20 years. Installing a solar energy system in a home can reduce this unit cost further, and for large-scale industries, the ability to consistently minimise monthly operational and production costs through rooftop solar panels is highly beneficial from a business perspective.

Furthermore, if rooftop solar power is insufficient for a factory with high electricity consumption, solar panels can be installed on land located elsewhere through the “power wheeling” mechanism. In this setup, electricity can be transmitted to the factory simply by paying a transmission fee (wheeling charge) to the Ceylon Electricity Board.

Today, solar and wind power are among the lowest-cost energy generation methods in the world. However, a major issue currently faced by many households installing solar panels is the inability to export electricity to the national grid due to the limited capacity of local transformers. Nevertheless, as global battery prices continue to decline, an effective alternative has emerged. By integrating batteries into rooftop solar systems (off-grid or hybrid systems), consumers can store the electricity they generate and power their homes entirely using solar energy without relying on the national grid. This is an ideal solution for significantly reducing rising electricity bills.

Q: Hayleys Solar, is a household name in Sri Lanka’s renewable energy space. As you feature in LMD’s Brands Annual 2026, how do you define your brand’s essence today—and what makes it resonate most with consumers in such a competitive market?

A: Today, Hayleys Solar represents trust, accessibility, and long-term partnership. What began as a largely B2B focused brand has evolved into a name that resonates with households across Sri Lanka.

At its core, the brand is built on making solar simple and relatable. We recognised early on that solar energy can feel complex, so we focused on educating customers in a way that is easy to understand and relevant to their everyday lives. This shift helped us inspire people to live a life full of light, positioning solar not just as a utility solution but as a meaningful lifestyle choice. It helped us move from being just a service provider to a brand that connects emotionally with people.

We have consistently focused on ensuring that Hayleys Solar remains a brand related to everyone. From the way we communicate to the way we design our customer journey, our goal has been to make solar energy feel accessible rather than complex or intimidating.

Our recent Kaari Na campaign reflects this approach, bringing together rational benefits and emotional relevance in a way that speaks to diverse Sri Lankan households and makes solar more approachable. Also our emphasis on top-of-mind awareness and strong brand recall is driven by clear, education focused communication and relatable storytelling through campaigns that connect with Sri Lankan consumers in a meaningful way.

Q: In a crowded market, how does your brand differentiate itself beyond price and product?

A: Our differentiation goes beyond price and product specifications. It is rooted in trust, long term responsibility, and service continuity.

In Sri Lanka, multiple solar companies operate in the market, but not all are able to sustain long-term service commitments. What sets us apart is our stability and credibility, backed by the 100-year engineering heritage of Hayleys Fentons.

Strengthening this foundation is our team of over 300 highly skilled and experienced engineers. As an organisation, we actively empower them by providing both local and international exposure, enabling continuous learning and ensuring that global best practices are brought into every project we undertake.

We do not just deliver high quality solar solutions. We go further by offering exceptional after sales support. Our dedicated service team ensures customers receive timely maintenance and assistance throughout their journey. Beyond our own clients, we also extend support to users of other solar brands when adequate aftercare is not provided, reinforcing our commitment to reliable service across the industry.

In addition to this, Hayleys Solar has delivered large scale renewable energy projects, including nearly 300 MW of ground mounted solar installations and over 110 MW of wind energy projects. These milestones highlight our capability to execute complex, utility scale developments and reinforce our position as a trusted leader in Sri Lanka’s renewable energy landscape.

Also, we offer a 30-year manufacturer warranty, reflecting our long-term confidence in the solutions we provide. This approach positions us not just as a provider, but as a dependable partner that customers can rely on for the long term.

Q: Public opinion reflects consumer trust. How has your brand earned and sustained this trust over time?

A: Trust has been built through consistency, performance, and a strong service foundation. In a market where customers seek reliability, long-term assurance plays a critical role in decision-making.

Hayleys Solar continues to strengthen its leadership in Sri Lanka’s renewable energy sector, having already achieved 500 MW in installed capacity, demonstrating its capability to deliver large-scale and complex solar projects. Building on this success, the company has surpassed 5,000 hybrid installations islandwide and reached 30 MWh in energy storage.

These milestones reflect our commitment to expanding access to reliable and sustainable energy while combining scale, innovation, and strong after-sales support.

Beyond this, our structured service approach further reinforces trust. Through our AMC (after-maintenance contract) framework and dedicated support systems, powered by our 24/7 customer service hotline 011 2 102 102, customers are assisted throughout the lifecycle of their investment. Customers can visit our official website to explore solar solutions and submit inquiries, while our teams support them through approval processes.

Long term value is also defined by responsibility. We ensure that the solutions we provide are sustainable and managed responsibly over time. This consistency in delivery and care has enabled us to build and sustain long-term trust with our customers.

Q: Consumer expectations continue to evolve rapidly. How does your brand stay relevant while remaining true to its core identity?

A: Staying relevant requires continuous innovation while remaining grounded in our core promise of reliability and engineering expertise.

We have actively embraced modern technology, particularly in the area of hybrid solar solutions. With growing demand for energy independence, hybrid systems with battery integration have become increasingly important. In April, we successfully completed over 1,000 hybrid solar installations nationwide, demonstrating our agility in meeting evolving customer needs.

At the same time, we collaborate with globally trusted, tier-one graded suppliers to ensure that our solutions meet international standards in quality and performance.

While we continue to innovate, our core identity remains unchanged. We focus on making solar accessible, understandable, and dependable for every customer, ensuring that technology is always delivered with clarity and purpose.

Interviewee details

Name: Hasith Prematillake

Designation: Managing Director – Hayles Fentons Limited

Name: Roshane Perera

Designation: Deputy Managing Director – Energy at Hayleys Solar

The Maldives continues to set the global benchmark for luxury island hospitality where world-class guest experiences exist in harmony with some of the planet’s most delicate ecosystems.

As the industry evolves, many of its leading resorts are now accelerating their journey toward sustainable energy systems, integrating renewable technologies that enhance both operational efficiency and environmental responsibility. This shift is redefining how island hospitality is powered.

Engineering Energy Resilience for Island Environments

At Hayleys Solar, with over 500 MWp of solar capacity delivered across residential, commercial, industrial, and utility-scale projects in Sri Lanka, we are proud to contribute to this transformation across island geographies where reliability and performance are critical.

Deploying renewable energy in marine environments requires far more than standard solar installations. High salinity, corrosion risks, limited space, and 24/7 high-load hospitality operations demand highly engineered hybrid solutions.

Today’s island energy systems integrate rooftop solar PV with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and existing backup generators, forming intelligent microgrids that dynamically balance generation, storage, and demand.

This enables resorts to maximize solar utilization during the day while ensuring uninterrupted power through stored energy during peak and night-time demand periods.

Real Deployments Across the Maldives

This transition is already visible across some of the region’s most renowned hospitality destinations:

• Siyam World Maldives operates a 2,693.67 kWp rooftop solar PV system supported by a 1,720 kWh BESS
• Sun Siyam Olhuveli integrates a 1,416 kWp hybrid solar system with a 537.5 kWh BESS
• Bandos Maldives runs a 744.8 kWp solar installation backed by a 400 kWh battery system
• Velaa Private Island features a 294.53 kWp custom-engineered rooftop solar system integrated into its premium infrastructure

Together, these installations represent over 10+ MWp of installed solar capacity across the Maldives.

Measurable Impact at Scale

The impact of this transition is already significant.

Collectively, these systems generate over 20,000+ MWh of clean energy annually, reducing diesel consumption by more than 5.4 million liters each year.

For resort operators, this translates into stronger energy resilience, reduced exposure to fuel price volatility, and improved sustainability performance without compromising guest experience.

Flexible Energy Transition Models

To support different operational and financial structures, we offer two primary pathways:

• Power Purchase Agreement (PPA):
  A zero upfront investment model that enables immediate access to clean energy at competitive tariffs, supporting positive cash flow from day one.
• EPC (Turnkey Ownership Model):
  A fully engineered solution designed for optimized returns, typically achieving payback within approximately two years, with strong long-term IRR potential.

The future of luxury hospitality is increasingly defined by resilience, efficiency, and environmental stewardship.

By integrating advanced renewable energy systems into island infrastructure, resorts are strengthening energy independence while preserving the natural beauty that defines their global appeal.

Hayleys Solar, Sri Lanka’s No. 1 solar solutions provider, has successfully completed the installation of a 1.7MWp solar power system for GPV Lanka Pvt Ltd in Negombo, further supporting the country’s transition towards sustainable and energy-efficient industrial operations.

GPV Lanka Pvt Ltd, a leading company in the electronics manufacturing sector, is strengthening its efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce its environmental footprint through renewable energy. The solar installation supports the site’s operational energy requirements while contributing to a more stable and cost-efficient energy supply.

Managing Director of GPV Lanka Pvt Ltd, Chandana Dissanayake commented, “The installation is part of our ongoing efforts to integrate more renewable energy into our operations. By improving energy efficiency and reducing our environmental footprint, we strengthen both our operational performance and our contribution to a more sustainable manufacturing industry. We appreciate the strong collaboration with Hayleys Solar throughout the project.”

Commenting on the successful completion of the project, Managing Director of Hayleys Fentons Limited, Hasith Prematillake stated, “We are pleased to have delivered this 1.7MWp solar installation for GPV Lanka, supporting their transition towards more sustainable and energy-efficient operations. At Hayleys Solar, we remain committed to empowering Sri Lankan industries with reliable, future-ready renewable energy solutions that create long-term value for both businesses and the environment.”

Deputy Managing Director – Energy of Hayleys Fentons Limited, Roshane Perera stated, “Delivering a project of this scale for a valued partner such as GPV Lanka reflects our expertise in implementing reliable and efficient solar solutions that address the evolving energy needs of businesses. We are proud to support GPV Lanka in advancing its renewable energy journey while contributing to the wider adoption of sustainable energy solutions across Sri Lanka.”

The project reflects a shared commitment between Hayleys Solar and GPV Lanka towards more energy-efficient industrial operations and responsible energy consumption in Sri Lanka.

As a trusted leader in solar energy solutions, Hayleys Solar continues to drive the adoption of renewable energy across residential, commercial, religious, and industrial sectors, empowering organisations with reliable and future-ready energy solutions.