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International Solar Alliance

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• GS Paper 2 Important International institutions, agencies and their structure, mandate.
• Tags: #ISA #InternationalSolarAlliance #Chile #GS2 #UPSC

Why in the News?

• Chile has officially become a member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
• Its membership was confirmed when the Instrument of ISA ratified..
• With Chile’s inclusion, ISA now boasts a total of 95 member countries.
• Chile’s membership reflects its commitment to renewable energy and its collaboration on global solar initiatives.
• ISA is an international organization dedicated to promoting solar energy and sustainability.

What is the ISA?

Origins of ISA

• ISA was conceived as a joint initiative by India and France to combat climate change through solar energy solutions.
• Its inception occurred during COP21 to UNFCCC in Paris in 2015.

Membership Expansion

• ISA’s Framework Agreement was amended in 2020, allowing all United Nations member states to join the organization.
• 116 countries have signed the ISA Framework Agreement, with 95 countries submitting the necessary ratification instruments.
• Vision of ISA: Let us together make the sun brighter.
• Mission of ISA: Every home, no matter how far away, will have a light at home.
• Overview of ISA: It is a collaborative platform focused on accelerating the adoption of solar energy technologies. Its primary objectives are to improve energy access, ensure energy security, and drive the transition to clean energy in its member countries.
• The ‘Towards 1000’ Strategy: It is ISA’s strategic vision which aims to mobilize $1,000 billion in investments for solar energy solutions by 2030.
  • To provide clean energy access to 1,000 million people
  • To install 1,000 GW of solar energy capacity.
  • To help reduce global solar emissions by 1,000 million tonnes of CO2 annually.
• Targeted Impact: ISA emphasizes the development and deployment of cost-effective solar energy solutions. It particularly prioritizes providing benefits to Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
• Global Partnerships: ISA collaborates with various stakeholders, including multilateral development banks (MDBs), development financial institutions (DFIs), public and private sector organizations, civil society, and international institutions.
  • These partnerships are crucial in achieving the organization’s global objectives.
• Programmatic Approach of ISA
  • With nine comprehensive programs, each focusing on specific solar energy application areas.
  • These programs revolve around four priority areas: Analytics & Advocacy, Capacity Building, Readiness and enabling activities and Programmatic Support, which facilitate a favorable environment for solar energy investments.

ISA Governance Structure

ISA Assembly

• It serves as the highest decision-making body within the organization.
• It is composed of representatives from each Member Country.
• It addresses significant matters, including the selection of the Director General, the functioning of ISA, and approval of the operating budget.
• The first ISA Assembly convened in Greater Noida, India, in October 2018.

Steering Committee

• It holds the responsibility of providing strategic guidance to the ISA and overseeing its day-to-day operations.
• It convenes regularly to assess progress and formulate recommendations for the ISA Assembly.

Secretariat

• It functions as the administrative branch of the ISA.
• Its primary role is to execute the decisions made by the ISA Assembly and the Steering Committee.
• Headquarter: National Institute of Solar Energy in Gurugram, India.

Head of ISA

• The Director General leads the ISA and is responsible for its operations. He/she also oversees the functioning of the ISA Secretariat.
• This position has a four-year tenure, and re-election is a possibility.

Programmes of ISA

Scaling Solar Application for Agricultural Use (SSAAU) Program

• ISA initiated its inaugural program SSAAU, in New York, USA, on April 22, 2016.
• This program primarily targets decentralized solar applications implemented in rural areas.
• It encompasses several key solar technologies tailored for agricultural use.
• These technologies include Solar Powered Irrigation Systems, Solar Drying, Solar Home/Street Lighting Systems, Solar Chilling, and various other off-grid applications.

Solar Risk Mitigation Initiative (SRMI)

• It was jointly launched during COP24 by the World Bank, Agence Francaise de Développement, and ISA.
• The program’s primary objective is to facilitate the development of financially sustainable solar programs in developing countries, leveraging private sector investments.
• The World Bank has committed $337 million to establish a Risk Mitigation Fund dedicated to supporting 23 member countries in Africa for off-grid projects (ROGEP), emphasizing risk mitigation in the African off-grid sector.
• The European Investment Bank has initiated a 60 million Euro grant project to establish a concessional financial facility and a risk mitigation fund, focusing on promoting off-grid solar applications in Africa.

Scaling Solar Mini-Grids Program

• ISA introduced its third program on May 24, 2017, during the 52nd Meeting of the African Development Bank Group held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
• The program’s primary aim is to address the energy needs of ISA member states in areas with unreliable or no grid infrastructure and in island member states with substantial solar energy potential.
• The program places a significant emphasis on aggregating demand for electricity in regions lacking reliable grid access.
• The program actively contributes to the creation of financially viable mini-grid projects.

Scaling Rooftop Solar Program (SRT)

• ISA’s fourth program was formally launched in New Delhi in March, 2018.
• The core objective is to consolidate resources for the expansion of rooftop solar installations, encompassing both off-grid and grid-connected systems, within ISA member countries.
• The program targets diverse user segments, including Government and Institutional Buildings, Commercial and Industrial Buildings, and Residential Premises.

Scaling Solar E-Mobility & Storage Program

• The program centers on two primary solutions: Vehicle Integrated Photovoltaic (VIPV) and Solar-Powered Vehicle Charging Stations.
• ISA’s initiative encompasses various energy storage technologies, including different battery types, compressed air energy storage, gravity energy storage, and pumped hydro energy storage.
• The program intends to evaluate the suitability of energy storage for applications such as off-grid residential use, mini-grids, commercial hybrid systems, and grid-connected systems across its member countries.

Solar Park Concept

• The primary aim is to promote the development of large-scale Solar Projects under the Solar Park concept.
• This initiative is in line with the objectives of the 2015 Paris Declaration and fulfills commitments outlined in Article II and III (2) of the Framework Agreement.
• The program has a five-year duration, commencing from the launch date until 2024.
• It encompasses a wide range of existing and future solar technologies, including Solar PV Modules, Thin Films, Flexible Modules, Solar Tiles, etc.
• Additionally, it includes technology components like Inverters, Hybrid Inverters, Micro-Inverters, Power Controllers, and more.

Solarizing Heating and Cooling Systems

• ISA’s seventh program launched in October 2020.
• The program primarily aims to meet the growing thermal demand in commercial, industrial, and residential sectors.
• A key focus is developing solar-powered food cold chains, reducing post-harvest food loss and potentially doubling farmers’ income.
• Climate-resilient cold chains could cut 19-21 GtCO₂e GHG emissions by 2050.
• These projects demonstrate energy transition, reduce global poverty, and meet Paris Agreement, Kigali Amendment, and Biarritz Pledge targets.

Solar PV Battery and Waste Management Program

• ISA launched during the Fourth Assembly in October 2021.
• Primary objectives: Reduce solar and battery waste, promote re-use of components, and establish effective recycling processes.
• The program fosters sustainable solar and battery waste management ecosystems in ISA member countries or regionally.

Solar for Green Hydrogen Program

• Launched during the Fourth Assembly.
• Aims to accelerate Green Hydrogen production in ISA Member Countries.
• Green Hydrogen is crucial for combating climate change, enabling net-zero carbon emissions, and transitioning challenging sectors.
• Imperative for global awareness, particularly among Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), to replicate projects as green hydrogen technology advances and commercializes.

Solar Technology Application Resource Centre [STAR C] Initiative

• It aims to cultivate the desired human capacity and skills among a Member Country’s populace to encourage the significant undertaking of energy transition activities, creating jobs and ultimately contributing to the country’s economic growth.
• STAR Centres act as hubs of technology, knowledge, and expertise on solar energy and are a go-to place for a Member Country at the regional or country levels.

Source: The Hindu

Mains Question

Examine the role and significance of the International Solar Alliance in addressing global energy challenges and its potential impact on sustainable development and climate change mitigation.