The Eighth Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly is underway in New Delhi, hosting delegates from 124 member and signatory countries and over 40 energy and climate ministers. This assembly, held at Bharat Mandapam, marks a major milestone in global efforts to accelerate the adoption of solar energy for sustainable development and climate action. India, as the founder and host of the ISA, continues to play a central and visionary role in this global renewable energy coalition.
The ISA was launched jointly by India and France at COP21 in Paris in 2015 with the aim to promote affordable, reliable, and sustainable solar energy across sunshine countries—those lying mostly between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. The alliance focuses on enhancing energy security in developing and underdeveloped countries through solar finance, technology transfer, capacity building, and policy coordination. Today, with 124 member countries, it is one of the largest intergovernmental renewable energy coalitions globally. Its headquarters are in Gurugram, Haryana, India.
The theme for this edition is “One Sun, One World, One Grid,” emphasizing the vision of a connected and inclusive global solar power network. The Assembly focuses on four strategic pillars: catalytic finance hubs, global capability centers and digitization, regional and country-level engagement, and technology roadmaps and policies. These include initiatives like the Africa Solar Facility, support for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), floating solar innovation, AI integration, green hydrogen development, and solar for agriculture.
The Assembly aims not only to review progress on ISA’s ambitious goals but also to operationalize strategies that make solar energy accessible and affordable, fostering rural livelihoods, job creation, women’s empowerment, and digital inclusion through solar energy.
India’s Leadership and Solar Achievements
India’s leadership vision, articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and upheld through ISA, is at the core of the global solar agenda. India has achieved 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources five years ahead of its target. It stands as the third-largest global producer of solar energy and the second-largest renewable energy market worldwide.
Through schemes like the PM Surya Ghar – Muft Bijli Yojana, India has distributed solar power to over 20 lakh households, exemplifying the idea that solar energy must extend beyond urban centers to reach marginalized and remote communities. This outreach reflects the principle that energy equity is the foundation of social equity, empowering communities and driving local economies.
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the ISA Assembly, underscoring solar energy’s potential beyond mere power generation—as a tool for empowerment, dignity, and inclusive development. She called for collective action linking solar energy to creating employment, enhancing women’s leadership, supporting rural livelihoods, and promoting digital inclusion. The President emphasized the importance of preserving ecological balance as ISA-led solar expansions grow, aligning environmental conservation with green energy pursuits.
Her address framed the ISA as a symbol of humanity’s shared aspiration to combat climate change through urgent and concrete measures. She urged member countries to think beyond infrastructure metrics like megawatts and focus instead on the tangible impact on lives—illuminating homes, strengthening families, and transforming communities.
President Murmu’s message stressed dedication not just toward national goals but a global responsibility to future generations, reflecting the ISA Assembly’s collective ambition to build an inclusive and equitable world powered by solar energy.
Director General Ashish Khanna highlighted upcoming initiatives such as launching the Africa Solar Facility to boost solar financing and promote energy access on the continent. Also announced plans include establishing 17 Centres of Excellence worldwide by the end of 2025, with a proposed Global Capability Centre in India envisioned as a hub akin to a “Silicon Valley for solar.” These centers will provide testing, training, and startup ecosystem support, advancing human capital development in solar technologies.
The Assembly also sees the release of flagship ISA reports like “Ease of Doing Solar 2025” and “Solar Trends 2025,” outlining progress and pathways for scaling solar energy deployment globally.
Hosting the Eighth ISA Assembly cements India’s position as a global powerhouse in renewable energy leadership and diplomacy. The event reinforces the critical role of international cooperation in achieving climate goals through clean and affordable solar energy. With bold initiatives spanning finance, technology, and inclusive development, the ISA Assembly charts a clear path from ambition to action that resonates worldwide.
India’s stewardship embodies the spirit of the ISA’s founding vision: harnessing the “One Sun” to empower “One World” through a “One Grid” that is equitable, sustainable, and transformative. The deliberations and outcomes of this session are poised to become a landmark in global solar energy evolution, propelling the world toward a cleaner, greener, and more inclusive energy future.
