In Vietnam, where the rooftop solar potential is estimated at up to 140 GW but adoption remains relatively modest, energy startups like XSolar Energy are paving a promising new path. Instead of approaching the renewable energy challenge from the perspective of production or hardware, XSolar tackles the issues of upfront investment and consumption efficiency through technology. By offering a zero upfront investment model combined with a smart energy management system, the startup is creating a viable pathway for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their green transition journey.
XSolar’s founding idea stemmed from a practical observation: while many Vietnamese businesses want to reduce electricity costs, they often lack the financial resources to invest in solar power systems, which require high initial installation costs and have long payback periods. Moreover, the fragmented and inconsistent technical infrastructure at many sites creates significant challenges in managing and operating systems post-installation. In response, the founders of XSolar decided to design an integrated model: not only do they supply the equipment, but they also provide financing and build a digital platform to monitor and optimize energy consumption in real time. This approach stands in stark contrast to traditional EPC models or mere equipment distribution.
Their R&D journey began with testing various financial models tailored for SMEs—their primary target customers. They experimented with different approaches, including all-inclusive subscriptions and pay-as-you-go models, eventually settling on a hybrid model that combines leasing with shared energy savings benefits. On the technology front, the team focused on developing EnergyX – a smart energy management platform that integrates AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things). EnergyX goes beyond simple monitoring software; it acts as a data analytics hub for energy usage, offering operational optimization suggestions, anomaly alerts, and integrations with other systems such as electric vehicles (EV), battery energy storage systems (BESS), and building management systems (BMS). Its tech stack is built on a microservices architecture, uses real-time communication protocols (MQTT), integrates lightweight AI at the edge, and supports scalability through APIs compatible with various hardware manufacturers. This openness enables XSolar to deploy its solution flexibly across different business models without being locked into specific hardware providers.
A notable milestone in their tech development journey was participating in support programs like the P4G Vietnam Summit 2025. Here, the startup was featured in the innovation exhibition area, opening doors to international investors and technical support partners. Through direct mentoring sessions, the founding team received guidance on international energy technical standards, return-on-investment measurement models, and strategies for market expansion via PPP (Public-Private Partnerships) or ESCO (Energy Service Company) models. These supports helped refine EnergyX into a platform not only serving domestic SMEs but also ready for expansion into other developing markets with similar conditions.
Compared to many other energy solutions on the market, which often only provide solar panels or installation services, XSolar stands out by embedding deep digital technology into the solar ecosystem. The smart energy management platform is the true core that delivers a long-term competitive edge. Thanks to its real-time analysis and optimization capabilities, EnergyX helps clients not only reduce electricity costs but also build a reliable data foundation for negotiating with EVN, evaluating equipment performance, and planning future expansions effectively.
However, the development journey came with valuable lessons. One key takeaway was the importance of simplifying the user experience. In the early stages, XSolar presented the system with too many complex technical indicators, overwhelming SME customers. Later, they redesigned the EnergyX interface into a simplified dashboard focusing on just three key metrics: monthly savings, system performance, and equipment alerts. This change doubled the platform usage rate and significantly improved customer satisfaction.
With its Energy-as-a-Service approach, SME-centric technology mindset, and flexible software solution development capabilities, XSolar Energy is steadily asserting its role in Vietnam’s renewable energy ecosystem. For other startups developing technological solutions in the green infrastructure space, XSolar offers a clear lesson: innovation doesn’t lie in creating a new device, but in restructuring the value chain and consumer behavior through data, digital platforms, and creative financial models.
