Context:
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) announced plans to establish 17 centres of excellence across various countries by the end of 2025 and a Global Capability Centre (GCC) in India to function as a global hub for solar energy development.
Key Details:
- Centres of Excellence:
- Located in 17 countries (names undisclosed).
- Focus on testing, lab training, and start-up incubation in universities modeled on IITs.
- Number may increase to 50 in future.
- Global Capability Centre (GCC):
- To be set up in India, envisioned as a “Silicon Valley for solar”.
- Will act as a hub connecting all centres of excellence worldwide.
What is ISA?
- ISA is a global coalition of solar resource-rich countries, aimed at promoting solar energy use, enhancing energy access, and facilitating investments in renewable energy projects.
- Launched: 30 November 2015, Paris, France
- Founders: India and France
- Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana, India
- Treaty/Legal Status: ISA operates as an international intergovernmental treaty-based organization.
About ISA:
- Founded: 2015 by India and France at the Paris COP21.
- Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana.
- Membership: ~100 countries.
- Objective: Promote solar energy deployment globally, especially in tropical countries.
- Installed Capacity: ~119 GW (as of July 2025).
- Emerging as a global supplier of skilled engineers for solar infrastructure.
