Bilal Naeem

CEO of Beyondgreen Solar Solutions

Compiled from 1 recorded interview. Every statement below is drawn from the passage cited beside it.

Bilal Naeem is the CEO of Beyondgreen Solar Solutions, a solar company that started in Karachi and now operates in Lahore, Islamabad and Quetta as well. Born in Karachi, he stayed in the Australian solar field from 2011 to 2019 and entered the Pakistan solar market in 2015.

Early life and background

Naeem was born in Karachi. His father is an industrialist. He attended an O-level school. He described himself as more street smart than studious, and found business attractive. His parents pressed him to become a chartered accountant. [1]

Education

Naeem spent his first year at the Institute of Business Administration on the pathway to chartered accountancy. He received an economics exemption in the CA course. He doubted he would pass the chartered accountancy papers, because people said that those who get stuck once or twice rarely clear them. He started a diploma at a university, enrolling in it to get a visa. His father gave him money for the first semester and told him to manage everything beyond that himself. [1]

Career in Australia

Naeem worked as a phone sales consultant, selling electricity connections. The job paid on commission: he earned 100 to 150 dollars for each connection he sold, and door-to-door knocking paid around 300 dollars. He commuted on and off, covering about 200 kilometres for the job. He was verbally abused during the first door knock of his life. [1]

He worked for a retail electricity company, in a market where five retailers competed to sell electricity. Naeem said Australia introduced solar in 2011, and that exported solar units would be bought at 44 cents. He earned a commission of 300 dollars for each kilowatt of solar sold, and he worked for three solar companies, moving to whichever paid the better commission. [1]

He was promoted from sales consultant to team leader, then to national sales head, and received an award for the highest sales in Australia. He began studying solar in depth, asking what it was. He stayed in the Australian solar field from 2011 to 2019. He said the Australian government cut the buy-back tariff once its solar target was met. [1]

Entry into the Pakistan solar market

Naeem booked a flight to Pakistan, saying the time for net metering had come. He said he registered his name and that a close friend became his partner. He told his partner that he was going to Australia and that the partner should handle everything. He entered the Pakistan solar market in 2015, when, he said, net metering did not exist in Pakistan. [1]

He took a small shop in the Sadar electronics market in Karachi. He sold a container of A-grade panels over about one and a half years. He said buyers at that time did not understand the difference between A-grade and stock-lot panels. [1]

Naeem said net metering began in 2019, when the Karachi electricity utility started the process. He said a company has to register with the Alternative Energy Development Board. He said the grid capacity for net metering is full, and that nine of the 18 bungalows on one Defence feeder had already installed solar. [1]

Beyondgreen Solar Solutions

Naeem is the CEO of Beyondgreen Solar Solutions, which he described as his baby. He said the company started in Karachi about three years ago and now operates in Lahore, Islamabad and Quetta as well, with four offices across its operating cities. He said his company has the most net meters installed in the Karachi territory. [1]

He said the company uses panels and inverters from Bloomberg-listed manufacturers and works with the top four or five panel makers. He said he has dealership agreements signed with those manufacturers in Australia too. He said a panel maker offers a 25-year production warranty on its panels, and that the on-grid inverter warranty is five years. He said the company replaces a faulty inverter within 24 to 48 hours. [1]

Naeem said Beyond Green believes in service as a brand. He said the company gives three years of after-sales service at no charge, runs 24-hour remote monitoring of solar systems, and offers cleaning services for solar panels. He said the company tries to hold six months of stock on hand and only sells as much as its stock covers. [1]

He said his company builds solar sheds over factory rooftops and leaves about 14 feet of clearance under them. He said he built a solar shed over his own office. [1]

He said the company has a corporate social responsibility campaign. The setup consists of three 150-watt panels powering small 12-volt fans, lights, a battery and a mobile charger. He said such a campaign setup costs between one and 1.5 lakh rupees at most. [1]

Views on solar and energy in Pakistan

Naeem said solar is pegged to the dollar, as energy prices are, and that solar costs about 4 rupees per unit over the system's life, including O&M. He said a 10-kilowatt system produces 40 to 45 units a day on average over a year, and he recommends adding 10 to 20 percent more solar capacity than the household uses. He said the inverter causes the most solar problems, that tubular batteries last three to four years if maintained properly, and he recommends washing panels every 10 days. [1]

He has advised people since 2019 to install solar as early as possible. He said people will look at whether a bungalow is approved for net metering. He described a solar buyer as a man who has earned all his life and is now building a family home, and said consumers are anxious about a technology they have never understood. [1]

He said solar sales tax is now zero and there is no duty on solar, and that a 17 percent sales tax was imposed on solar. He said K-Electric has a better SAP system than other distribution companies, and that the K-Electric meter procedure takes one and a half to two months. He said installation takes two weeks when demand is high. [1]

He said he has been offered many deals to make solar in Pakistan. He said he was told goods from China cost 19 cents, while his own costing came to 24. [1]

Personal life

Naeem said he had a great deal of love for Pakistan. He said he does not see his next generation staying in Pakistan. [1]

Timeline

2011
Began his time in the Australian solar field.[1]
2015
Entered the Pakistan solar market.[1]
2019
Ended his time in the Australian solar field and began advising people to install solar as early as possible.[1]

Appearances

DateTitleWhere
2023-09-08 Why solar is the dollar-pegged investment most Pakistanis can buy Thought Behind Things

Frequently asked questions

Who is Bilal Naeem?

Bilal Naeem is the CEO of Beyondgreen Solar Solutions. He was born in Karachi, stayed in the Australian solar field from 2011 to 2019, and entered the Pakistan solar market in 2015.[1]

What does Bilal Naeem do?

Bilal Naeem is the CEO of Beyondgreen Solar Solutions. He said the company offers 24-hour remote monitoring, cleaning services for solar panels and three years of after-sales service at no charge. He also said it builds solar sheds over factory rooftops.[1]

Where is Bilal Naeem from?

Bilal Naeem was born in Karachi. His company started in Karachi as well. It now also operates in Lahore, Islamabad and Quetta.[1]

Where did Bilal Naeem study?

Bilal Naeem spent his first year at the Institute of Business Administration on the pathway to chartered accountancy, and received an economics exemption in the CA course. He also started a diploma at a university, enrolling in it to get a visa.[1]

What is Beyondgreen Solar Solutions?

Beyondgreen Solar Solutions is a solar company led by CEO Bilal Naeem. It started in Karachi and now operates in Lahore, Islamabad and Quetta as well, with four offices across its operating cities. Naeem said it has the most net meters installed in the Karachi territory.[1]

What did Bilal Naeem do in Australia?

Bilal Naeem stayed in the Australian solar field from 2011 to 2019. He was promoted from sales consultant to team leader, then to national sales head, and received an award for the highest sales in Australia. He worked for three solar companies, moving to whichever paid the better commission.[1]

When did Bilal Naeem enter the Pakistan solar market?

Bilal Naeem entered the Pakistan solar market in 2015. He said net metering did not exist in Pakistan at that time. He took a small shop in the Sadar electronics market in Karachi.[1]

What does Bilal Naeem say about the cost of solar?

Bilal Naeem said solar costs about 4 rupees per unit over the system's life, including O&M. He said a 10-kilowatt system produces 40 to 45 units a day on average over a year. He recommends adding 10 to 20 percent more solar capacity than the household uses.[1]

References

  1. Why solar is the dollar-pegged investment most Pakistanis can buy . Thought Behind Things , 2023-09-08.
Show the source passages (86 statements)
  1. He is the CEO of Beyondgreen Solar Solutions. Bilal Naeem is the CEO of Beyondgreen Solar Solutions.
  2. He was born in Karachi. Actually I was born in Karachi aur early life Karachi mein hi start start kiya maine.
  3. He described himself as more street smart than studious. Padhaku toh nahi street smart zyada the zyada street smart the.
  4. He found business attractive. business mein toh woh cheez badi attractive lagti thi
  5. He attended an O-level school. I started my like my school was Jaffer Public School. It's an O-level school.
  6. His parents pressed him to become a chartered accountant. ammi abbu bada pressure karte the yaar chartered accountant banna hai
  7. He spent his first year at the Institute of Business Administration on the pathway to chartered accountancy. Toh chartered accountant banna hai toh first year humne IBA IBE karke Institute of Business Administration tha.
  8. He received an economics exemption in the CA course. aur mujhe economics mein exemption mil gayi CA mein.
  9. He doubted he would pass the chartered accountancy papers, because people said that those who get stuck once or twice rarely clear them. yeh mujhe lagta nahi hai ke mujhse niklega kyunke log kehte hain ke ek do teen dafa ruk jaye toh phir uske baad nikalta nahi hai.
  10. He started a diploma at a university. I started my diploma University of Sunshine Coast
  11. He enrolled in a diploma to get a visa. Toh maine woh visa visa lagane ke liye diploma mein admission liya
  12. His father gave him money for the first semester and told him to manage everything beyond that himself. Walid sahab ne kaha ke beta yeh paise hain pehle semester ke isse aage sab kuch khud karna hai.
  13. He worked as a phone sales consultant. calling consultants hote hain na jis tarah jo sale sale karte hain phone pe.
  14. The job involved selling electricity connections. Toh bijli ke connection bechte the.
  15. He commuted on and off, covering about 200 kilometres for the job. meri job mein takreeban samjho ke lagbhag 200 kilometer ka raasta tha jo ke main on and off subah jata tha.
  16. The job paid on commission. Toh hum commission based job thi. Jitna bechte the utna lekar jate the.
  17. He earned 100 to 150 dollars for each connection he sold. Ek connection becho toh 100-150 dollar mil jate the.
  18. Door-to-door knocking paid around 300 dollars. Achcha door to door knocking pe tha ke 300 dollar milte the.
  19. He was verbally abused during the first door knock of his life. pehla door matlab pehla door knock kiya hoga maine apni zindagi ka. Toh wahan se mujhe padi gandi gaaliyan.
  20. He worked for a retail electricity company. I was working in Origin. It's a retail electricity company.
  21. Five retailers competed to sell electricity in that market. wahan pe paanch retailers hain bijli bechne ke liye.
  22. He said Australia introduced solar in 2011. usme 2011 mein solar introduce ho gaya Australia mein.
  23. He said exported solar units would be bought at 44 cents. jo aap humein bechoge units woh hum 44 cent pe lenge.
  24. He earned a commission of 300 dollars for each kilowatt of solar sold. Maine kaha yaar commission acha hai. 300 dollar per kilowatt.
  25. He worked for three solar companies, moving to whichever paid the better commission. Teen teen companies ke liye kaam karta tha. Jo acha commission deta tha uske saath uski sale maar deta tha jaakar.
  26. He was promoted from sales consultant to team leader, then to national sales head. Ek sale consultant se team leader bana phir national sales head bana.
  27. He received an award for the highest sales in Australia. I got the award ke highest selling in Australia.
  28. He began studying solar in depth, asking what it was. solar phir solar ko deep study karna start kiya ke yaar yeh hai kya cheez?
  29. He stayed in the Australian solar field from 2011 to 2019. Toh 2011 se lekar 2019 tak I would say ke main is field ke andar raha
  30. He said the Australian government cut the buy-back tariff once its solar target was met. by the time teen saal mein Australian government ka target pura hua aur unhone bijli jo buy back tariff tha woh kam karna start karna shuru kar diya
  31. He booked a flight to Pakistan, saying the time for net metering had come. The next day I got the flight over here ke ab time aa gaya hai net metering ka.
  32. He said he registered his name and that a close friend became his partner. Toh I registered my name. Mere saath mere partner ko mera dost hai jigri yaar hai woh mera partner bana.
  33. He told his partner that he was going to Australia and that the partner should handle everything. Aur maine bola theek hai I'm going to Australia. You handle everything at the back.
  34. He entered the Pakistan solar market in 2015. Toh 2015 mein woh phase aana shuru hua Pakistan ke andar jab main enter hua
  35. He said net metering did not exist in Pakistan in 2015. Pakistan mein net metering ka koi concept nahi tha
  36. He took a small shop in the Sadar electronics market in Karachi. Toh maine ek Sadar mein Karachi mein Sadar mein electronic market mein ek choti si shop le li.
  37. He sold a container of A-grade panels over about one and a half years. mujhse A grade ka ek container dedh saal mein bika.
  38. He said buyers at that time did not understand the difference between A-grade and stock-lot panels. us zamane mein logon ko concept hi nahi tha A grade aur stock lot mein kya farq hota hai.
  39. He said net metering began in 2019, when the Karachi electricity utility started the process. 2019 mein start hua Karachi ke Electric ne net metering ke process ko start kiya.
  40. He said a company has to register with the Alternative Energy Development Board. AEDB aa raha hai you know Alternative Energy Development Board. Toh usme you have to register your company.
  41. He said the grid capacity for net metering is full. hamari grid capacity net metering ke liye full ho chuki hai.
  42. He said nine of the 18 bungalows on one Defence feeder had already installed solar. Defence mein for example Khayaban-e-Rahat pe is feeder pe 18 bangle hain. Theek hai? 18 bangle mein se nau toh laga chuke.
  43. He has advised people since 2019 to install solar as early as possible. logon ko main 2019 se samjhana shuru kar diya hai ke bhai jitna jaldi lagaoge pehli toh baat hai fayda hai.
  44. He said people will look at whether a bungalow is approved for net metering. woh dekhoge ke bhai yeh net metering approved bangla hai ya nahi hai.
  45. He said K-Electric has a better SAP system than other distribution companies. K-Electric ka agar main dekha jaun toh saare discos se bada behtar hai ek SAP system banaya hua hai unhone.
  46. He said solar is pegged to the dollar, as energy prices are. kyunke energy bhi pegged hai dollar pe aur solar bhi pegged hai dollar pe
  47. He described a solar buyer as a man who has earned all his life and is now building a family home. Woh ek sahab hain jinhone poori zindagi kamaya hai aur kama karke ab woh jaake jo hai na apna ek ghar bana rahe hain, family home bana rahe hain
  48. He said consumers are anxious about a technology they have never understood. Consumer ko bhi yahi hai ke yaar usne kabhi na suna hai, na samjha hai.
  49. He said the inverter causes the most solar problems. solar ke andar inverter sabse zyada problem karta hai
  50. He recommends adding 10 to 20 percent more solar capacity than the household uses. Hamesha apna usage ka 10-20 percent extra laga lo.
  51. He said a 10-kilowatt system produces 40 to 45 units a day on average over a year. 10 kilowatt ka system ek din ke andar 40-45 unit on an average banata hai agar poore saal ka main loon.
  52. He said solar costs about 4 rupees per unit over the system's life, including O&M. agar main us pe apni cost ko aur saal saal ki O&M cost ko plus karta rahoon to 4 rupaye ki cost banti hai unit ki.
  53. He said the company gives three years of after-sales service at no charge. 3 saal to hum aapke saath after sales service without any paise.
  54. He said the company runs 24-hour remote monitoring of solar systems. hamara basically 24 hours monitoring system chal raha hai
  55. He said the company offers cleaning services for solar panels. Hum yeh cleaning ki bhi service dete hain.
  56. He recommends washing panels every 10 days. Hum recommend karte hain ke har 10 din baad it should be washed
  57. He said his company has the most net meters installed in the Karachi territory. we have got most number of net meter install in Karachi territory
  58. He said the company uses panels and inverters from Bloomberg-listed manufacturers. hum product woh istemaal karte hain jo Bloomberg listed panels hon aur Bloomberg listed inverters hon.
  59. He said the company works with the top four or five panel makers. jaise LonGi, uh I would say Jinko, Canadian, Trina, yeh top 4-5 companies hain, inhi se hum kaam karte hain
  60. He said he has dealership agreements signed with those manufacturers in Australia too. unhi ke saath meri dealership sign hui hui hai Australia mein bhi
  61. He said a panel maker offers a 25-year production warranty on its panels. LonGi kehta hai ke main 25 saal ki warranty deta hoon production ki
  62. He said the on-grid inverter warranty is five years. Anyhow, inverter ki warranty hai na woh 5 saal hai.
  63. He said the company replaces a faulty inverter within 24 to 48 hours. we gonna replace it in next 24 to 48 hours woh replace ho jayega.
  64. He said tubular batteries last three to four years if maintained properly. Wo 3-4 saal easily chalti hain agar aap usko proper tarike se maintain karte raho.
  65. He said installation takes two weeks when demand is high. Agar zyada rush hua toh do hafte hain
  66. He said the K-Electric meter procedure takes one and a half to two months. dedh se do mahine ka procedure hai K-Electric ka.
  67. He said the company tries to hold six months of stock on hand. hum yeh koshish karte hain ki hamari 6 mahine ka stock hamare in-hand ho.
  68. He described Beyond Green as his baby. Dekhein, Beyond Green, it's my baby.
  69. He said Beyond Green believes in service as a brand. beyond green agar dekha jaye as a brand, we do believe in service
  70. He said his company builds solar sheds over factory rooftops. industry ko hum solar ke sheds bana kar dete hain, waterproofing sheds.
  71. He said his company leaves about 14 feet of clearance under solar sheds. hum chhat pe 14 feet ki clearance height de dete hain solar ki
  72. He said he built a solar shed over his own office. maine toh apne office pe kara kya ki woh shed banaya solar ka, proper pack kiya
  73. He said solar sales tax is now zero and there is no duty on solar. ki 0% sale tax hai, ab aaj ki tareekh mein dekha jaye, no duty, nothing at all
  74. He said a 17 percent sales tax was imposed on solar. Ki usne unhone 17% sale tax laga diya solar pe.
  75. He said he has been offered many deals to make solar in Pakistan. I've got so many offers ke main yahan pe solar banaun.
  76. He said he was told goods from China cost 19 cents, while his own costing came to 24. China se mujhe kehta hai ke bhai 19 cent mein cost karta hai ye maal. Main apni costing dekh raha hoon to 24 hai.
  77. He said the company started in Karachi about three years ago. it was basically first Karachi. Karachi se ab uh humne uh takreeban 3 saal ho gaye.
  78. He said the company now operates in Lahore, Islamabad and Quetta as well. Started operations in Lahore, Islamabad and Quetta.
  79. He said the company runs four offices across its operating cities. Ye hum char offices dekh rahe hain yahan se aur charo jagah hamare operations chal rahe hain.
  80. He said the company only sells as much as its stock covers. hum utna hi business karte hain jitna hamare paas stock available hoga.
  81. He said the company has a corporate social responsibility campaign. hamari corporate social responsibility hamari uh beyond win ka ek uh uh aap samjhein ke ek campaign hai.
  82. The setup consists of three 150-watt panels powering small 12-volt fans, lights, a battery and a mobile charger. 3 platein 150 watt ki jo chhote se 12 volt ke pankhe lightein aapne daal diye, battery, mobile charger ye teen cheezein
  83. He said such a campaign setup costs between one and 1.5 lakh rupees at most. Maximum cost na lakh se 1.5 lakh ke darmiyan.
  84. His father is an industrialist. mere walid sahab he is an industrialist
  85. He said he had a great deal of love for Pakistan. Dusra Pakistan se mohabbat bahut thi
  86. He said he does not see his next generation staying in Pakistan. Magar main apni next generation ko toh yahan nahi dekhta.