Delhi to Host 7th ISA Assembly, Paving the Way for Global Solar Revolution India’s Minister of New and Renewable Energy and ISA Assembly President, Pralhad Joshi, emphasized the ISA’s critical role as a global force driving solar cooperation.
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NEW DELHI (India): Delhi is set to become the epicenter of a major global push for solar energy as it hosts the Seventh International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly from November 3 to 6, 2024. This high-stakes gathering will see participation from over 120 countries, with ministers, senior officials, private sector stakeholders, and partner organizations coming together to deliberate on scaling solar adoption and addressing global energy challenges. In Wednesday’s pre-assembly event, representatives from ISA member countries reaffirmed their collective resolve to advance the transition to renewable energy amidst the escalating climate crisis.
India’s Minister of New and Renewable Energy and ISA Assembly President, Pralhad Joshi, emphasized the ISA’s critical role as a global force driving solar cooperation. The alliance, now comprising 120 member and signatory countries, is at the forefront of international efforts to leverage solar energy’s unique benefits—its widespread availability, declining costs, and role in mitigating climate change. Joshi pointed out that while the decreasing costs of solar technology are a game-changer, the sector still faces significant barriers to large-scale deployment, including financing, infrastructure, and regulatory challenges that must be addressed to unlock its full potential.
The timing of this assembly is particularly crucial, as the world faces urgent climate and energy milestones. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), achieving the global net-zero emissions target by 2030 will require annual growth in solar capacity of around 30%. The ISA aims to catalyze this growth by facilitating investment, promoting technological advancements, and enhancing the ability of member countries to develop and maintain solar infrastructure effectively. The stakes are high; solar energy must evolve from a promising alternative to a mainstream solution capable of meeting a significant portion of the world’s energy demands.
Ajay Yadav, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, provided a sobering assessment of the solar sector’s challenges. While solar power has witnessed impressive growth, accounting for nearly 60% of the new renewable capacity added worldwide in 2023 according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), large-scale deployment still requires overcoming major hurdles. The high capital costs associated with solar projects, estimated to be 70% of the total investment, remain a barrier, along with supply chain dependencies and limited local manufacturing capabilities. Yadav emphasized that addressing these issues will require more than international cooperation; it will demand strategic national policies, targeted financial support, and robust technological partnerships.
ISA is making strides to tackle these challenges through initiatives like the SolarX Startup Challenge and the STAR-C program, which aim to boost local entrepreneurship, improve quality standards, and reduce dependency on imported technologies. These efforts are geared toward fostering a domestic ecosystem for solar solutions, but more needs to be done to integrate solar energy into mainstream energy policies. Scaling up solar adoption also involves realistic assessments of the economic and logistical obstacles that countries face in transitioning to cleaner energy.
Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General of the ISA, highlighted the need to align solar ambitions with practical realities. He pointed out that while solar power’s declining costs and expanding capacity are promising, countries must address issues such as grid stability, efficient energy storage, and equitable access to financing. For instance, over 800 million people globally still lack reliable electricity access, particularly in Africa and parts of Asia, where solar energy could provide a viable solution. ISA’s Global Solar Facility initiative, designed to bolster investments in underserved regions through mechanisms like the Solar Payment Guarantee Fund, is a step toward addressing these disparities. However, scaling such efforts will require substantial international collaboration and financial commitments from development banks and private investors.
As the assembly approaches, the focus will be on practical approaches to accelerate solar adoption in regions where energy access remains a challenge. For example, integrating solar energy with agriculture through “agrivoltaics”—a practice that combines solar power generation with crop production—will be showcased near New Delhi, demonstrating the dual benefits of enhancing energy access while supporting agricultural sustainability. In a country like India, where agriculture employs nearly 60% of the population, such integrated approaches can boost both income and energy resilience, turning solar into a catalyst for wider socio-economic development.
The assembly will also host a High-Level Conference on New Technologies for Clean Energy Transition on November 5, featuring ministerial delegations, industry experts, policymakers, and innovators. The release of the third edition of the World Solar Reports will provide critical insights into the evolving landscape of solar technology, financial mechanisms, and market trends, offering a roadmap for future policy and investment decisions. These discussions will emphasize the need for innovative financing models and regulatory frameworks that can drive solar energy from aspiration to widespread reality.
As New Delhi prepares for this significant event, the Seventh ISA Assembly aims to transition from lofty goals to actionable strategies. The agenda goes beyond setting ambitious targets; it seeks to make solar energy an accessible, reliable, and affordable option for countries across different stages of development. The assembly will acknowledge that achieving a sustainable energy future is a complex endeavor, requiring diverse strategies, realistic targets, and sustained momentum to overcome the financial, technological, and infrastructural barriers. The outcomes of this session will likely shape the trajectory of global solar adoption, setting a pragmatic course for the next phase of climate action.
— Dr. Shahid Siddiqui, Follow via X @shahidsiddiqui
