Why in news?
India will host the 8th Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) from 27 to 30 October 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The meeting will bring together member countries to discuss ways to accelerate the global adoption of solar energy.
Background and history
The ISA is a treaty‑based intergovernmental organisation launched jointly by India and France at the Paris Climate Conference (COP21) in 2015. Its headquarters is in Gurugram, Haryana. The alliance has 124 member or signatory countries, most of which lie between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn where sunlight is abundant. The ISA aims to mobilise USD 1 trillion in investments, provide clean energy access to one billion people and install 1,000 GW of solar capacity by 2030.
Key functions and programmes
- Policy advocacy: Assisting members in formulating solar‑friendly regulations and standards.
- Programmatic support: Helping countries replicate Indian schemes such as PM‑KUSUM (solar pumps for farmers) and Surya Ghar (rooftop solar for households).
- Financing mechanisms: Mobilising funds through the Africa Solar Facility, blended finance instruments and credit guarantees to lower the cost of capital.
- Capacity building: Training engineers, policymakers and entrepreneurs through Solar Technology and Application Resource Centres and online courses.
- Knowledge sharing and collaboration: Facilitating partnerships between governments, industry, multilateral agencies and research institutions.
Significance of India’s role
- Leadership in renewable energy: Hosting the assembly underscores India’s commitment to a clean energy transition and its role as a climate leader.
- Economic opportunity: Expanding solar power supports domestic manufacturing of panels and components, creating jobs.
- Energy access: ISA programmes can help electrify remote villages using off‑grid solar systems.
- South–South cooperation: India’s experience in deploying solar technology can benefit other developing countries with similar climatic conditions.
