Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi highlighted the rapid global growth of solar energy and the expanding role of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in driving the clean energy transition worldwide.
Speaking at the ISA Foundation Day celebrations in New Delhi on March 11, Joshi said the alliance demonstrates how global cooperation can accelerate sustainable development through solar power.
ISA Emerges as a Global Solar Coalition
Joshi said that the alliance, which India and France started together in 2015 during the COP21, has grown into a group of more than 120 countries working together to spread solar energy.
He credited the leadership of Narendra Modi for transforming the initiative into a global movement promoting clean and affordable solar energy.
Key highlights of ISA’s impact:
- Promoting solar power projects in emerging and developing economies
- Solarising healthcare centres for reliable electricity
- Supporting solar irrigation and cold storage for farmers
- Providing clean power to schools and public institutions
- Encouraging startups, innovation, and youth participation in the clean energy sector
India’s Solar Capacity Nears 136 GW
Highlighting India’s progress, Joshi said the country’s installed solar capacity has reached nearly 136 gigawatts, accounting for almost half of its renewable energy capacity.
He also highlighted government initiatives that are expanding solar adoption at the household and agricultural levels.
Major solar initiatives in India:
- PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana – enabling households to generate rooftop solar power
- PM-KUSUM Scheme – supporting farmers with solar-powered irrigation systems
These programmes aim to increase energy access while reducing electricity costs for citizens.
Global Solar Deployment Accelerating
The minister noted that the global solar sector is expanding rapidly. While it took nearly 25 years to install the first 1,000 GW of solar capacity worldwide, the next 1,000 GW is expected to be achieved much faster.
He said the Global South is becoming the centre of the clean energy transition due to rising energy demand and abundant solar resources.
ISA is helping countries get more solar power and improve people’s lives through projects like decentralised renewable systems, solar irrigation, and the Global Solar Facility.
AI and Digital Technologies to Transform Energy Systems
Joshi also highlighted the growing role of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in the energy sector.
ISA is advancing the Global Mission on AI for Energy, which aims to use advanced technologies to develop smarter and more resilient power systems.
ISA Launches Green Hydrogen & Storage Start-up Challenge 2026
ISA announced the Green Hydrogen and Storage Start-up Challenge 2026 during the event to help new companies that are developing green hydrogen and energy storage technologies.
Selected startups will receive:
- Structured mentoring and acceleration support
- Access to ISA member country markets
- Opportunities for technology transfer and scaling
ISA also launched an upgraded digital platform to improve access to its programmes, knowledge resources and partnerships.
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