International Solar Alliance

 

International Solar Alliance - What is International Solar Alliance?

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an intergovernmental organization that was founded in 2015 by India and France. The aim of the alliance is to promote solar energy and to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels. It is headquartered in Gurugram, India.

 

The ISA has a membership of over 120 countries, primarily located between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, which are regions with high solar insolation. The alliance aims to mobilize more than US$1 trillion of investment by 2030 to promote the use of solar energy, especially in developing countries.

 

The ISA focuses on several areas, including the promotion of solar technologies, research and development of solar energy, financing mechanisms, and capacity building. It aims to facilitate the transfer of technology and knowledge from developed to developing countries to help them develop and deploy solar energy systems.

 

The ISA has several initiatives and programs to promote solar energy, including the Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR-C) and the Affordable Finance at Scale program. The alliance also collaborates with other international organizations, such as the United Nations Development Programme, to achieve its objectives.

 

Goals of the International Solar Alliance

here are ten goals of the International Solar Alliance:

1. To facilitate the deployment of over 1,000 GW of solar energy and mobilize over US$1 trillion in investment in solar energy by 2030.
2. To encourage the development and deployment of affordable solar technologies in member countries, especially in rural and remote areas.
3. To promote research and development in solar energy and related technologies.
4. To establish solar energy as a mainstream source of energy and reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.
5. To promote solar energy education and training programs to build the capacity of member countries in the solar energy sector.
6. To facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices in solar energy among member countries.
7. To create a platform for member countries to share resources, expertise, and technologies to promote the use of solar energy.
8. To support the development of policies and regulatory frameworks that encourage the deployment of solar energy.
9. To facilitate the integration of solar energy into the power grid and promote energy storage solutions to ensure the reliability and stability of the grid.
10. To promote the use of solar energy in various sectors, including agriculture, transport, and industry, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change.

  

What is role of India in International Solar Alliance?

India played a crucial role in founding the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and has been actively involved in its development and implementation since its inception. The ISA was launched jointly by the Prime Minister of India and the President of France at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015.

 

As a co-founder and the host country of the ISA, India has been at the forefront of promoting solar energy and supporting the alliance's goals. India has pledged to generate 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022, of which 100 GW is to come from solar energy. India has also launched several initiatives to promote solar energy, such as the National Solar Mission and the Solar Park Scheme.

 

India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy provides administrative and financial support to the ISA. The ministry has also established the ISA Cell to coordinate India's engagement with the ISA and to support the alliance's activities.

 

India has contributed $27 million to the ISA's corpus fund and has also pledged to provide training and capacity-building support to ISA member countries. India is also actively involved in the implementation of several ISA programs, such as the Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR-C) and the Affordable Finance at Scale program.

 

Overall, India's leadership and active participation have been instrumental in the development and implementation of the ISA's programs and initiatives, and in promoting solar energy globally.

 

 

Scope of International Solar Alliance

here are ten points outlining the scope of the International Solar Alliance (ISA):

1. Promoting the use of solar energy as a clean, affordable and sustainable energy source to meet the growing energy needs of member countries.
2. Encouraging research and development in solar energy technologies and applications, and promoting innovation in the sector.
3. Developing solar energy infrastructure in member countries, including solar parks, solar rooftops, and solar mini-grids.
4. Supporting the transfer of technology and knowledge in solar energy from developed to developing countries, and promoting South-South and triangular cooperation.
5. Creating a platform for member countries to collaborate and share experiences, best practices, and expertise in solar energy.
6. Facilitating the mobilization of investment in solar energy projects, and supporting the development of policies and regulations that promote solar energy investment.
7. Providing training and capacity-building support to member countries to develop the skills and knowledge required to deploy and maintain solar energy systems.
8. Developing and promoting solar energy standards, codes, and certification schemes to ensure the quality and safety of solar energy systems.
9. Promoting the integration of solar energy into the electricity grid, and supporting the development of energy storage solutions.
10. Facilitating the development and deployment of solar energy systems in various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, and education, to improve access to basic services and support sustainable development.

 

Challenges faced by International Solar Alliance

Here are five challenges faced by the International Solar Alliance (ISA):

 

1. Limited funding: Although the ISA aims to mobilize over $1 trillion of investment in solar energy by 2030, funding remains a challenge, especially for developing countries. Lack of access to finance and high upfront costs of solar energy systems are significant barriers to deployment in many countries.
2. Lack of technical expertise: Many developing countries lack the technical expertise and knowledge required to deploy and maintain solar energy systems. The ISA needs to provide adequate training and capacity-building support to its member countries to address this challenge.
3. Lack of policy and regulatory frameworks: Many countries lack appropriate policies and regulations to promote the deployment of solar energy systems. The ISA needs to work with governments to develop and implement policies that support the development of the solar energy sector.
4. Infrastructure challenges: The deployment of solar energy systems requires adequate infrastructure, such as transmission and distribution systems. In many countries, infrastructure development is inadequate, and the lack of adequate infrastructure can hinder the deployment of solar energy systems.
5. Climate change and environmental challenges: Climate change and environmental challenges, such as extreme weather events, can affect the performance and reliability of solar energy systems. The ISA needs to develop and promote solutions that address these challenges and make solar energy more resilient to the impacts of climate change.