The International Solar Alliance (ISA), also called the International Agency for Solar Policy and Application is a group of 106 signatory countries (86 of which are members), the majority of which are sunshine countries that lie entirely or partially between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. The alliance's main goal is to promote efficient solar energy use in order to lessen reliance on fossil fuels. This program was first presented by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who co-launched it with French President Emmanuel Macron at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. This article will explain to you about the International Solar Alliance which will be helpful in preparing the Environment syllabus for the UPSC Civil Service exam.

International Solar Alliance- Objectives

• The use of solar energy is the main focus. The formation of such an alliance in Paris also sends a strong message to the international community about the developing countries' commitment to address climate change and transition to a low-carbon growth path.
• India has committed to installing 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022, with 100 GW of solar energy.
• It was also committed to a reduction in emission intensity of 33–35 % by 2030, in order to bring solar energy to the most remote villages and communities and to create a clean planet.
• India has pledged to generate 40% of its energy generation capacity (not actual production) from non-fossil sources (renewable, big hydro, and nuclear) by 2030 at the Paris conference. It is founded on international cooperation.

Why the International Solar Alliance?

• Abundance of Solar Energy: The energy that the Sun produces in a single day is enough to power the entire planet for a year; but, we are unable to harness all of it.
• Impoverished Sunshine Countries: The majority of the sunshine countries are impoverished and underdeveloped.
• As a result, solar power becomes increasingly important for energy security.
• The main objective of ISA is to "ensure everyone has access to inexpensive, dependable, sustainable, and contemporary energy."
• It also intends to significantly increase the amount of renewable energy by 2030.
• It aims to improve international cooperation by 2030 to make clean energy research and technologies, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, more accessible.
• Financially Unsustainable: Despite the presence of significant financial institutions such as the AIIB, World Bank, and NDB, as well as private and public financing, developing solar projects in isolation is not financially sustainable.
• Non- availability of Energy Policy: There is no renewable energy policy in place.
• Inadequate Technology: There is no adequate environment that encourages people to buy and install renewable energy, and there is no proper technology of integrating renewable energy with conventional electricity.
• As a result, the focus of ISA will be on solar energy policy, ecosystem, and integration.

International Solar Alliance - Members

• The alliance is an intergovernmental organization based on treaties.
• The International Solar Alliance's framework agreement was opened for signatures in November 2016 in Marrakech, Morocco, on the fringes of the Marrakech Climate Change Conference.
• India, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Dominican Republic, the Republic of Guinea, Mali, Nauru, Niger, Tanzania, Tuvalu, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Bangladesh, and Madagascar were among the sixteen countries that signed the Agreement on its first day.
• Guinea Bissau, Fiji, and France had all signed the pact by November 17th.
• Sushma Swaraj, India's External Affairs Minister, met with Mamady Toure, Guinea's Foreign Minister, on November 6, 2017. Mamady Toure presented Guinea's Instrument of Accession to the India-founded International Solar Alliance during the meeting (ISA).
• The agreement was also signed by Vanuatu and Liberia.
• Following then, 107 more countries joined the agreement, including Mexico, Peru, Chile, Paraguay, Brazil, India, Argentina, and Australia, which are all located between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
• The InSPA (International Agency for Solar Policy & Application), a conclave for the sunshine grouping, began on November 30, 2015. .

Members of International Solar Alliance

International Solar Alliance - Geographical Importance

• The tropical (torrid) zone is the area of the Earth that lies between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
• The sun can appear directly overhead in this region of the world, and because of the more direct exposure, the sun's actual influence is stronger.
• Anywhere north or south of this zone, sunlight strikes the earth's surface at an angle, making it less intense.
• The African continent has the world's sunniest countries, stretching from Somalia in the Horn of Africa, east to Niger, west to Egypt.
• Additional benefits from the alliance for India could include a strengthening of connections with major African countries and more goodwill toward India.

International Solar Alliance- Headquarters

• The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is headquartered in Gurugram, India.
• In January 2016, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the then-French President François Hollande laid the foundation stone for the ISA Headquarters and opened the interim Secretariat at the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) in Gwal Pahari, Gurugram.
• For its future headquarters, the Indian government has set aside five acres of land on the NISE site.
• It has also given $1.75 billion (US$23 million) to the fund for the construction of a campus and the first five years' expenses.

International Solar Alliance - India’s Role

• India will be one of the most important markets, and its domestic strategy (to create 100 gigawatts) has sent signals to investors and developers.
• By March 2022, the government has pledged to have a solar power capacity of 100 GW operational.
• This plan may provide a boost to India's energy security. India has pledged a sum of Rs. 100 crores.
• India would also grant secretarial help of 225 crores over the next five years.
• The Indian government has offered ISA member countries training at NISE, as well as funding for demonstration projects such as solar home lighting, solar pumps for farmers, and other solar applications.

International Solar Alliance - Initiatives and Partnerships

• At an ISA event at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, the alliance joined with the World Bank to develop the Global Solar Atlas.
• The Global Solar Atlas is a free online tool that shows the annual average solar power potential for each location on the planet, allowing users to find possible solar power producing locations.
• "This tool will save governments millions of dollars in research and enable investors and solar developers with an easily accessible and uniform platform to analyze resource potential between sites in one region or across numerous countries," the World Bank said.
• As a result of the huge cost reductions in solar power over the last few years, Riccardo Puliti, Senior Director and Head of the World Bank's Energy & Extractives Global Practice, said the World Bank was seeing a surge of interest from their customers in solar power.
• They expect that the Global Solar Atlas will aid in the critical planning and investment decisions that will be required over the next decade to transition to more sustainable energy sources."

International Solar Alliance- Future Targets

• India, with the help of France, has invited countries to help with infrastructure for solar project implementation.
• The partnership has pledged a one-trillion-dollar investment and is dedicated to making solar energy more affordable to rural and inaccessible populations.
• India's target of generating 100 GW of solar energy and 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022 would be supported by the alliance. The countries would cooperate in areas such as research and development and other high-level activity.
• It is also viewed as an alliance among developing countries to build a united front and conduct research and development for the manufacture of solar power equipment in developing countries.

International Solar Alliance- Advantages

• Clean Energy: When the world is suffering from the effects of climate change caused by pollution from energy generating plants such as coal, it will provide the needed push toward clean energy.
• 24 x 7 Access On Information: The Alliance has a Solar Cyber Centre that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All nations will have open access to guidance and information on a variety of projects and financial innovation as a result of this.
• Advocate for Financial Institutions: The Alliance can also advocate for financial institutions to allocate a portion of their lending to solar energy. This is similar to what the Reserve Bank of India did in India, where renewable energy investment of up to 15 crore rupees is considered a priority area for lending.
• Eligible for Lending: Rooftop solar panels are eligible for priority sector lending of up to ten lakh rupees.

International Solar Alliance- Advantages to India

• Energy Leader: This might position India as the energy leader among developing countries with plenty of sunlight.
• International Competitor: It positions India as a strong international competitor and has the potential to provide global job opportunities.
• Worldwide Exposure: Rather than focusing solely on Indian or domestic issues, the ISA might represent the start of more macro-level analyses and discussions of worldwide energy markets.
• Possibility of Receiving Funding: India's solar energy infrastructure is inadequate. Solar power is also not yet commercially viable due to its high cost. ISA can assist fund capacity expansion and make solar power commercially viable in order to accomplish its goal of 100GW of solar power.
• Implementation of Best Practices: It can also implement best practices in the field of renewable energy.

Conclusion

The Alliance must establish a platform for sharing experiences on how to deploy solar energy while acknowledging that access to energy technology and financing are the most significant barriers to achieving energy security. Because funds have been used to find consensus at conferences, the ultimate goal has been overlooked in various international processes. As a result, ISA should be cautious about following that course. There could be debates about business models, such as where to get components and how to satisfy conflicting demands from domestic and international competitors. Furthermore, there is little clarity on a financial strategy for assisting solar power in achieving "grid parity."