International Solar Alliance (ISA) – Quick Facts

  • Launch: Jointly launched by India and France at COP21 (Paris) in 2015.
  • Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana, India – the first inter‑governmental organisation headquartered in India.
  • Membership: Initially limited to countries between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn; after the 2020 amendment, open to all UN member states. Over 100 signatories, with 90+ full members.
  • Core Objective: Make solar power affordable and accessible in developing countries by facilitating finance, reducing investor risk and accelerating adoption.
  • ‘Towards 1000’ Strategy (by 2030):
  • Mobilise USD 1,000 billion in investments.
  • Provide clean‑energy access to 1,000 million people.
  • Install 1,000 GW of solar capacity.
  • Mitigate 1,000 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Key Initiatives

  • One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG): Regional solar interconnections across Asia, Middle East, Europe and Africa.
  • SUNRISE Network: Solar waste management, recycling and circular‑economy promotion.
  • SIDS Solar Procurement Platform: Joint procurement with Small Island Developing States and the World Bank.
  • ISA Academy & Global Capability Centre: AI‑based e‑learning and a hub for solar innovation.

India’s Solar Industry Landscape

  • Manufacturing Capacity: ~144 GW of solar modules and 25 GW of solar cells (growing fast).
  • Import Dependency: High‑efficiency modules largely sourced from China (≈70% of global cell capacity); India imported USD 1.7 billion of PV modules from China in FY25.
  • Investment Pipeline: Projects funded by Indian banks and global institutions, driven by long‑term utility contracts, with limited reliance on US capital.

US Withdrawal – Potential Impact

  • Signals a decline in US commitment to multilateral climate action, especially in the Global South.
  • May weaken investor confidence and increase perceived risk for solar projects in developing nations.
  • Creates a leadership vacuum that India can fill by positioning ISA as a neutral, action‑oriented platform.
  • Loss of US technical expertise in grid integration, storage and project management.

Strategic Way Forward for India

  • Strengthen ISA’s neutral role to attract Global South partners.
  • Mobilise alternative financing – deepen ties with the EU, Japan, ADB, AIIB and private climate funds.
  • Develop de‑risking instruments (guarantees, insurance) to boost investor confidence.
  • Leverage Indian R&D (e.g., National Institute of Solar Energy) and collaborate with other tech‑leading ISA members (France, Germany, Japan).
  • Promote Indian solar technology in ISA member countries, reducing reliance on Chinese imports.
  • Fast‑track market‑access negotiations for Indian solar exporters.
  • Maintain dialogue with the US on project‑specific cooperation to keep ISA inclusive.

Conclusion

The US exit is both a diplomatic setback and a strategic opportunity for India to reinforce its climate leadership, attract alternative finance, and cement the ISA as the premier platform for a just solar transition in the Global South.

Drishti Mains Question: The US withdrawal from the International Solar Alliance (ISA) presents both a challenge and an opportunity for India's climate diplomacy. Critically examine.