India Unveils Major Global Solar Initiatives at ISA Assembly

Syllabus: GS3/Environment

Context

• India launched a set of flagship global initiatives to accelerate the world’s transition to clean, equitable, and circular solar energy systems at the Eighth session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). 

Initiatives Launched

• The SUNRISE platform: The Solar Upcycling Network for Recycling will connect governments, industries, and innovators to unlock the value embedded in solar waste.
  • By promoting recycling and upcycling, SUNRISE aims to make solar deployment truly sustainable.
• One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG): The plan identifies priority links between East Asia-South Asia, South Asia-Middle East, Middle East-Europe, and Europe-Africa, enabling clean energy trade and greater energy resilience over the next decade.
• Global Capability Centre (GCC): GCC is a hub-and-spoke network connecting national research and training institutions under a new Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR-C) model.
  • The GCC aims to foster R&D, innovation, and digital capacity-building through the ISA Academy.
• SIDS Procurement Platform: It is jointly developed by the ISA and the World Bank Group.
  • The signing reaffirmed the commitment of 16 Member Countries to advancing solar energy deployment through coordinated procurement, digital integration, and capacity-building to enhance energy resilience.

Significance

• The initiatives mark a significant shift for the ISA from advocacy to implementation.
• These initiatives strengthen the Alliance’s mission to make solar energy accessible, affordable, and sustainable across the Global South.
• The latest announcements before COP30 in Brazil, signal India’s intent to position the Global South at the centre of the solar revolution.
• Through these initiatives, ISA is helping nations move from pilots to scale — creating a solar-powered, inclusive, and regenerative future.”

Outlook for Future Projects of ISA

• Ease of Doing Solar (EODS): It notes that global investments in the energy transition reached USD 2083 billion in 2024, with ISA Member Countries contributing USD 861.2 billion.
  • Renewable energy attracted USD 725 billion, of which solar power accounted for USD 521 billion—cementing its position as the dominant driver of the global energy transformation.
• Solar Compass – Special Issue on Integrated PV Applications: It highlights that now is the moment for Global South leadership in solar innovation.
  • Nearly 70% of buildings in developing countries are yet to be constructed, Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) offers a transformative opportunity to embed solar into future infrastructure. 
• Global Floating Solar Framework projects: The  global floating solar capacity to expand rapidly over the next decade, with the Asia-Pacific region expected to lead this growth.
  • The framework equips countries with the tools to develop strategies tailored to their unique geographies, markets, and social contexts.
• Solar PV Skills and Jobs in Africa projects: The continent’s solar workforce to grow from 226,000 today to 2.5–4.2 million by 2050.
  • Technicians will drive this growth, with 1.3 million roles expected, and small-scale systems accounting for 55% of all jobs. 

Source: DTE