What is International Solar Alliance (ISA) – Things You Should Know!

When the whole world is undergoing an energy crisis moment - The world leaders and political heads have come together to mark the most abundant form of energy ‘solar’ and technologically empower to feed the sphere with ‘Green Energy.’

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is one of its kind historic pact among solar resource wealthy countries to cooperate and promote the solar energy activities.

The Plan draws ‘to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all' ISA is trying to increase the share of renewable energy substantially by 2030.

By 2030, it conceives upgrading worldwide collaboration to encourage access to clean vitality.

Currently, in the ISA family 121 nations which lie completely or part between the tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn has shown interest as the nations are in the right geographical position to utilize the Solar Power.

The ISA was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande during the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris (COP 21) on 30^th November.

The aggregate monetary backing by India, including expense of the area, will be Rs 400 crore, said Upendra Tripathy, secretary of MNRE. ‘What remains to be done? There are still no tangible targets attached to the working of the alliance. While some countries would be responsible for export of solar panels and some for cheap technology, a legal commitment by each one of them would be made subsequently. Around $1 trillion of capital is relied upon to be mobilized with this organization.’ He also said that ‘around $500 billion would originate from corporate private area.’

Short Term Priorities Underlined by ISA:

• E-Portal to offer 24/7 real time suggestions for solar projects;
• Work with ISA member countries to strive for universal access to solar lighting;
• Preparation of Detailed Project Reports and sharing of best-practices and successful case studies;
• Exchange best practices and work with member countries in designing financing instruments to mitigate risk and catalyze partnerships to boost investment;
• Share perspectives on developing electricity systems;
• Development of standards, specifications and test protocols for solar energy systems;
• Generate and diffuse key learning on new technologies;
• Encourage collaboration in solar resource mapping in member countries and in deployment of suitable technologies;
• Facilitate preparation of plans for solar energy development and deployment;
• Encourage industry cooperation among ISA member countries;
• Forge cooperative linkages on development of Centre of Excellence for R&D in ISA member countries; and
• Designing training programs for students/engineers/ policy makers, etc. and organizing workshops, focused meetings and conferences.

So, what are the objectives of ISA:

• To establish an international platform spurring the pursuits of solar energy technologies
• Enhance energy security & innovation
• Improve utilizing of energy and opportunities for better living in rural and remote areas
• Increase the living standard; to understand the technologies; financing to the researchers, building a greenery environment.

Significance:

• By improving the solar technologies and solar activities it becomes the convenient source of energy.
• The solar energy will be a source of commercial energy with high extent of creation in tropical regions where all the nations are either poor or developing.
• The advantage of diminishing carbon fuel and moving to renewable energy is global priority.
• Developed nations ought to exchange innovation and provide incentives to the ISA's endeavours to help energy generation.
• The ISA is relied upon to assemble endeavours from various partners to empower the developing nation to embrace renewable energy technologies.

The Global Leaders shared a purview on this historic alliance:

‘There are several countries blessed with high solar radiation. We are making efforts to bring these countries together for enhanced solar energy utilization through research and technology up gradation. These countries have immense strength and capabilities to find solutions for their energy needs through solar energy’ - Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India

‘I welcome this initiative because if (these) countries can formulate ambitious targets for renewable by modifying regulatory systems for financing and improving technologies for lowering price of solar energy, then it will be a major contribution to the implementation of climate agreement’. - Francois Hollande, President of France. He also added that, ‘ISA is a gift from India to the World’.

‘ISA can provide a unique focus in supporting global efforts to increase the uptake of renewable energy through the development of solar policies, the promotion of applications to reduce poverty and the facilitation of energy access. I welcome this initiative by an IRENA Member Country and the Chair of the IRENA Council, India, and look forward to supporting ISA member countries in all possible ways.’-  Adnan Z. Amin, Director General, IRENA

List of prospective Member Countries and Territories for ISA: