International Solar Alliance

International Solar Alliance (ISA)

About 

• • During the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, the French President and the Prime Minister of India established the intergovernmental organization known as the International Solar Alliance (ISA). 
  • ISA is a collaborative, member-driven, action-oriented platform for greater solar energy technology deployment.
  • The ISA’s “Towards 1000” strategy serves as its roadmap and seeks to: 
  • By 2030, raise USD 1000 billion in investments in solar energy solutions. By using clean energy solutions, provide energy access to 1000 million people. 
  •  To install a solar energy capacity of 1000 GW. 
  • To reduce annual global solar emissions by one billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. 

Vision: 

Let us together make the sun brighter.

Mission:

 Every home, no matter how far away, will have a light at home.

Headquarter: 

National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) in Gurugram, India.

Objectives and priority areas of ISA:

The key objectives of ISA are:

• • To make it easier for 1000 GW of solar energy capacity to be installed worldwide by 2030. 
  • By 2030, to raise over $1 trillion in capital for the deployment of solar energy in member nations.
  • To create creative finance structures that lower the price of solar energy installation. 
  • To promote solar energy technology research and development. 
  •  To make solar energy a widely used energy source for everyone. 

The programs’ activities center on four key areas: 

• • Analytics & advocacy
  • Capacity building
  • Programmatic support
  • Readiness and enabling activities
  • The governance structure of the ISA

ISA Assembly: 

• • It is the highest decision-making body, with members chosen from each of the member nations. 
  • Substantial issues are discussed by the Assembly, including the choice of the Director General, how ISA operates, the approval of the operating budget, etc. 
  • October 2018 saw the inaugural ISA Assembly take place in Greater Noida, India.
    
    

Steering Committee: 

• • The Steering Committee is in charge of managing the ISA’s operations and giving it strategic direction. 
  • Meetings are held by the Steering Committee to discuss updates and offer suggestions to the Assembly.

Secretariat: 

• • As the ISA’s administrative branch, the Secretariat is in charge of carrying out the decisions made by the Steering Committee and the Assembly.
  • Head of ISA: It is headed by the Director General. 
  • The Director General oversees operations and performs ISA Secretariat duties. 
  • The ISA Assembly is under his supervision.
  • The director general may be reelected after serving a four-year term.

Evolution:

• • India and France collaborated to create ISA in an attempt to mobilize efforts against climate change by implementing solar energy solutions.
  • It was developed informally during the 2015 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) side events in Paris. 
  • Following the 2020 amendment of its Framework Agreement, all United Nations members will be able to join the ISA.
  •  Currently, 90 of the more than 110 nations that have signed the ISA Framework Agreement have turned in the required ratification documents to join the ISA as full members.
    
    

Importance of ISA

In India

• • Renewable energy leadership: India has set a lofty goal to reach 450 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. 
  • The ISA can assist India in accomplishing this objective by encouraging the use of solar energy in its member nations. 
  •  Soft power in the international sphere: India can improve its standing as a responsible global player dedicated to sustainable development by leading the ISA.
  • Adaptation to climate change: India, being a developing nation, is especially susceptible to the effects of climate change. The ISA can assist India in reducing the effects of and adjusting to these changes.
    
    

In the World

• • Encouraging the use of solar energy as a sustainable, clean, and renewable energy source is the primary goal of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
  •  In order to meet climate change targets, this is crucial. 
  •  Promoting solar energy investment: By 2030, the ISA hopes to raise over a trillion dollars in capital for solar energy projects.
  •  This can spur economic growth and open up new business opportunities.
  •  Promoting energy access: The ISA’s emphasis on solar energy can aid in expanding access to energy, especially in isolated and rural regions. 
  • Both overall human development and the fight against poverty may benefit from this. 

Various projects and initiatives of ISA:

Solar Technology Application Resource Centre [STAR C] Initiative 

• • STAR C initiative seeks to develop the necessary human capacity and skills among a member country’s populace to encourage the significant undertaking of energy transition activities, thereby creating jobs and ultimately contributing to the country’s economic growth. 
  • ISA’s capacity-building and institutional strengthening initiative in developing member countries
  • They serve as centers of technology, information, and experience related to solar energy and are a member nation’s first choice at the national or regional levels.
    

Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Scheme

• • The Indian government has been supporting the International Solar Alliance (ISA) by offering master trainers in the field of solar energy training. 
  • The training lasts for 21 days and is completely funded by the Indian government. 
  • With the help of the ITEC program, 133 applicants from 25 countries received training at the National Institute of Solar Energy in Gurugram in 2018–2019. 

ISA solar fellowship for mid-career professionals

• • The goal is to provide professional, skilled labor for the administration of solar energy projects, programs, and policies, thereby helping member countries meet their long-term development needs.
  • Mid-career professionals from ISA member countries will be eligible to apply for fellowships; in return, the fellowship holders will be expected to support policy development in their home countries, thereby aiding ISA in achieving its goals.
  • The first batch of candidates, which started on July 22, 2019, is presently pursuing master’s degrees in RE Management and Economics from 18 ISA Member countries.
    
    

One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) initiative

• • India proposed the concept for the One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) initiative in 2018. 
  • The initiative’s goal is to link the global energy supply.”The sun never sets” is the motto that guides the OSOWOG initiative. 
  • By creating a common grid that will be used to transfer renewable energy power, the OSOWOG initiative seeks to connect various regional grids and ultimately realize the potential of renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy.
    
    

Various other project themes

Affordably priced finance at scale:

• • To increase the affordability and accessibility of solar power by utilizing cutting-edge financing tools like the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank and the Green Climate Fund. 

Mini-grids: 

• • To give communities that are off the grid or have limited access to electricity, the ISA is encouraging the development of mini-grids that are powered by solar energy.
  • A number of additional projects involving solar street lighting, solar water heaters, solar rooftop installations, solar agriculture pumps, etc. 

The challenges and limitations of the ISA:

• • Even though the ISA has come a long way since its founding, there are still a number of issues facing the group, such as: 

Funding: 

• • Although the organization has gotten support from a number of nations, including France and India, it still needs a substantial amount of money to meet its goals of promoting solar energy in developing nations.

Limited participation: 

• • The ISA Framework Agreement has been signed by more than 100 countries as of right now, which is considerably fewer than the total number of countries on the planet and restricts the ISA’s capacity to carry out its goals and increase its influence.
    
    

Coordination of policies: 

• • It is difficult to harmonize national energy policies and regulations and establish fair conditions for solar energy. 

Implementation: 

• • It can be difficult to successfully implement solar energy projects because of things like a lack of infrastructure, unstable political environments, and insufficient funding

Future course of action

• • ISA may want to take into account the following tactics in order to properly direct its future course of action: 
  •  Strengthen cooperation: By working together with foreign organizations, governmental bodies, and businesses, the organization will be able to better utilize its resources and knowledge in the solar energy industry.
  •  Increase membership: Increase membership by interacting with more nations, particularly those with significant solar energy potential. 
  • This may contribute to expanding the organization’s influence and reach. 

Adopt policy reforms: 

• • Put your attention on enacting policy changes in member nations to lower subsidies for fossil fuels and provide incentives to encourage the use of solar energy. 

Provide financial support:

• •  By creating a fund or collaborating with global financial institutions, ISA can provide financial support for solar energy projects in its member nations.

Encourage innovation:

• •  By funding research and development initiatives and offering a forum for the exchange of best practices and knowledge, ISA can stimulate and promote innovation in the solar energy industry. 

Adopt policy reforms: 

• • Put your attention on enacting policy changes in member nations to lower subsidies for fossil fuels and provide incentives to encourage the use of solar energy. 

Provide financial support: 

• • By creating a fund or collaborating with global financial institutions, ISA can provide financial support for solar energy projects in its member nations.

Encourage innovation: 

• • By funding research and development initiatives and offering a forum for the exchange of best practices and knowledge, ISA can stimulate and promote innovation in the solar energy industry.