International Solar Alliance

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to promoting the large-scale deployment and development of solar energy technologies across the world. Established through a joint initiative by India and France in 2015, it seeks to unite countries that receive abundant sunlight to advance solar power as a sustainable solution for energy access and climate mitigation.

Background and Formation

The International Solar Alliance was first announced on 30 November 2015 during the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris. The initiative was conceived by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President François Hollande with the goal of mobilising cooperation among sun-rich countries situated between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
The Framework Agreement of the ISA was opened for signature in Marrakesh, Morocco, on 15 November 2016, during COP 22. It officially entered into force on 6 December 2017, after the required number of ratifications was achieved. Initially, membership was restricted to countries within the tropics, but a subsequent amendment in 2020 opened it to all member states of the United Nations.
The headquarters of the International Solar Alliance is located in Gurugram, Haryana, India, within the campus of the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE). The ISA is the first intergovernmental organisation headquartered in India, marking a significant milestone in the country’s diplomatic and environmental leadership.

Objectives and Mission

The ISA’s mission is to promote solar energy as an affordable, reliable, and sustainable source of power for all. Its objectives are anchored in advancing the deployment of solar technologies and building collaborative frameworks among member states. The main goals include:

• Mobilising financial resources and investments for solar projects in developing and least-developed countries.
• Promoting research, development, and innovation in solar applications such as photovoltaic systems, solar water pumps, and solar-powered cooling technologies.
• Facilitating capacity building and policy harmonisation to strengthen national solar programmes and regulatory mechanisms.
• Reducing the cost of solar power through aggregation of demand and bulk procurement.
• Supporting projects that expand energy access to remote and underserved communities through off-grid and decentralised solutions.

To operationalise these goals, ISA has adopted the “Towards 1000 Strategy”, which aims to achieve by 2030:

• Mobilisation of USD 1 trillion in solar investments.
• Provision of clean energy access to 1 billion people.
• Deployment of 1,000 GW of solar capacity globally.
• Avoidance of 1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

Organisational Structure and Membership

As of recent data, over 120 countries have signed the ISA Framework Agreement, and more than 90 have ratified it to become full members. The Alliance is governed through the Assembly, which functions as its decision-making body, and a Secretariat headed by a Director-General. India and France serve as the co-presidents of the Alliance, reflecting the founding partnership.
The ISA’s Secretariat coordinates projects and policy dialogues and engages with international organisations, development banks, and private sector partners to foster investment in solar energy initiatives.

Major Programmes and Initiatives

The ISA implements several programmes to advance its mission through technical assistance, project facilitation, and knowledge sharing. Key initiatives include:

• Global Solar Atlas: Developed with the World Bank, this tool provides comprehensive data on solar radiation potential to support project planning.
• Solar Cooling Initiative: Promotes solar and solar-hybrid cooling systems to improve agricultural cold chains and reduce post-harvest losses.
• Scaling Solar Applications for Agricultural Use: Focuses on promoting solar water pumping and irrigation systems in rural regions.
• Affordable Finance at Scale: Aims to create financial instruments and reduce the cost of capital for solar projects in developing nations.
• Green Grids Initiative – One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG): A visionary project jointly supported by India, the UK, and France, designed to interconnect regional power grids and facilitate cross-border renewable energy trade.
• Solar Mini-Grids and Off-Grid Solutions in Africa: Facilitates small-scale solar installations to expand access to clean energy across African member countries.

These initiatives are supported by collaborations with international financial institutions such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and various climate finance bodies.

Achievements and Impact

The International Solar Alliance has significantly advanced global cooperation in the solar sector. Its contributions include:

• Enhancing global solar deployment by catalysing technical and financial partnerships across continents.
• Lowering solar costs through joint procurement and investment facilitation.
• Supporting national solar missions, particularly in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific regions.
• Providing policy and regulatory support to member countries in developing solar roadmaps and energy frameworks.
• Aligning with global goals, particularly the Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Challenges and Limitations

Despite its success, the ISA faces several operational and strategic challenges:

• Financing barriers, especially in developing countries with weak credit systems and high perceived risks.
• Implementation delays due to administrative constraints and limited technical expertise in some member nations.
• Dependence on donor funding and major contributors such as India and France for key project execution.
• Regulatory divergence among members, which complicates policy coordination and standardisation.
• Infrastructural inadequacies, including insufficient grid capacity and storage technologies in developing regions.

Efforts are underway to address these issues through capacity development, financial innovation, and technology partnerships.

Global and Diplomatic Significance

The ISA exemplifies solar diplomacy and showcases India’s leadership in climate action. It represents a unique South–South cooperation platform that strengthens collective action among developing nations for clean energy transformation. The alliance contributes to global climate goals by fostering innovation, enabling low-carbon development, and creating opportunities for sustainable growth.