In an interview with TimesTech, Rishabh Dev Bajaj, Founder & CEO of Volt Energy, discusses how his zero-risk, zero-investment solar model is transforming MSME adoption in India. Drawing from his experience in both traditional and clean energy sectors, he highlights key challenges, policy needs, and Volt Energy’s mission to power 10,000 MSMEs by 2030.
Read the full interview here:
TimesTech: Volt Energy’s ‘Zero Risk, Zero Investment’ model is a unique approach to overcoming financial barriers in solar adoption. Can you walk us through the challenges that inspired this model and how it’s transforming the landscape for businesses in India?
Rishabh Dev Bajaj The greatest challenge I noticed was the financial hesitation from MSMEs. While solar clearly makes sense in the long run, the upfront investment and the perceived complexity often caused businesses to postpone adoption. That’s exactly why I started Volt to remove that friction entirely. I wanted to make sure our customers wouldn’t have to spend a single rupee upfront or worry about the quality of the asset. At the same time, I focused on creating a structured, reliable deal flow for customers, investors and installers. By addressing these bottlenecks, we have made solar adoption fast, risk-free, and truly beneficial for everyone involved in our zero-cost, zero-risk marketplace business model.
TimesTech: You have extensive experience in both conventional and renewable energy sectors. How has your past experience, especially at McDermott International and Fritt Solar, shaped your vision for Volt Energy?
Rishabh Dev Bajaj I have been fortunate to work with a leadership team that brings together deep experience from established energy companies and a strong foundation in clean technology innovation. At McDermott, I learned the value of large-scale execution and disciplined leadership. My time at Fritt Solar and other clean-tech ventures opened my eyes to both the immense market potential and the real operational challenges of installing rooftop solar especially for smaller businesses. With Volt Energy, I am combining these lessons to deliver clean energy solutions that not only scale but also offer the flexibility and customer focus that MSMEs genuinely need.
TimesTech: India has ambitious renewable energy targets for Amrit Kaal, but rooftop solar adoption still lags behind global leaders like China and the U.S. What key policy changes or industry shifts do you think are necessary to accelerate adoption further?
Rishabh Dev Bajaj I believe policy alignment plays a critical role in enabling progress. We need faster DISCOM approvals a more streamlined net-metering process for consumers. Ideally the net metering process should be entirely digital with clear indication of specifications of equipment required for net metering such as meters, current transformers and potential transformers. I also see huge potential in offering financial incentives for investors and credit guarantees for smaller businesses, which could really accelerate adoption. The opportunity in this space is massive, but it requires coordination between policy, finance, and technology and that’s exactly where I see Volt Energy making a meaningful impact.
TimesTech: Volt Energy aims to power 10,000 MSMEs by 2030. What challenges do you anticipate in scaling up, and how do you plan to overcome them to meet this ambitious goal?
Rishabh Dev Bajaj For me, the challenges come down to three key areas i.e., awareness, trust, and delivery. Many MSMEs still don’t fully understand the benefits of going solar or they have had disappointing experiences with vendors in the past. I am working to overcome that through education campaigns, transparent contracts, and strong performance guarantees. On the delivery side, our marketplace model makes a big difference. It ensures we always have a steady supply of installers and access to capital from investors, allowing us to confidently scale and meet growing demand
