International Solar Alliance To Release Report On Global Adoption Of Solar Technology In November

Relevance: GS3 - Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment, Infrastructure: Energy GS2 - Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

(Source: The Hindu, 10/26/2023)

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Why in the news?

• Recently, the International Solar Alliance announced that it would release a “global solar stock-take report” detailing the progress made in the adoption of solar energy by countries.
• The solar stock-take is believed to be inspired by the Global Stocktake of the UN Conference of Parties, which will be released in 2023 in Dubai.
• The Sixth Assembly of the International Solar Alliance will be held in New Delhi from October 30 - November 2, 2023.

What is the solar stocktake report?

• The International Solar Alliance is planning to release a Global Solar Stock-take report to complement the Global Stocktake to be presented at the UN Conference of Parties in Dubai.
• It is expected to be released in mid-November and will be a progress report of the work done by countries towards improving the adoption of solar technology.
• The solar stocktake closely aligns with the ISA’s goal of tripling renewable energy production and ensuring a more equitable distribution of solar investments.
• Although nearly $300 billion in 2020 and $380 billion in 2022 of investment has been made in solar, manufacturing is uneven with most of it concentrated in China.
• Therefore, the stocktake will consider ways to broaden the investment and manufacturing to ensure it is equitable and efficient.
• Solar PV across the globe: Solar photovoltaic installations globally crossed 1,133 gigawatts (GW) in 2022 with 191 GW.
• However, 350 MW or one-fourth of this is installed in China, which is not an ISA member, followed by the United States (111 GW).
• India is one of the top 5 countries globally with 62 GW.

What is the International Solar Alliance?

• The International Solar Alliance is an international organization with 109 member countries jointly set up by India and France.
• It was established at the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris in 2015.
• It works with governments, multilateral development banks, development financial institutions, public and private sector organizations, and civil society to improve energy access and security worldwide and promote solar power as a sustainable way to transition to a carbon-neutral future.
• Mission: Unlock US$1 trillion worth of investments in solar energy by 2030 while reducing the cost of the technology and its financing.
• Functions:
  • Promote the use of solar energy in the agriculture, health, transport, and power generation sectors.
  • It drives change by enacting policies and regulations, sharing best practices, agreeing on common standards, and mobilizing investments.
  • Identify, design, and test new business models for solar projects;
  • Support governments in developing solar-friendly energy legislation and policies
  • Improved access to finance and reduced costs by pooling demand for solar technology from different countries making the sector more attractive for private investment
  • Increased access to solar training, data, and insights for solar engineers and energy policymakers.
• ISA Assembly:
  • The ISA Assembly is the apex decision-making body of the ISA, with representation from each member country.
  • It makes decisions related to the implementation of the ISA Framework Agreement and coordinates actions to achieve objectives. The Assembly meets annually at the ministerial level at the ISA’s seat.
  • It assesses the aggregate effect of programmes on criteria such as deployment, performance, reliability, cost, and scale of finance.
  • India holds the office of the President of the ISA Assembly, with France as the co-president.

Other reports prepared by the ISA

• World Solar Technology Report 2023: It focuses on solar photovoltaics and the advancements in crystalline silicon technology.
• World Solar Market Report 2023: It offers a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of the solar market, its expansion, and changing regional dynamics.
• World Solar Investment Report 2023: It highlights the surge in global solar investments in 2022 by 36% from 2021.
  • Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America are the favored regions with China, Germany, and the USA as top investment destinations.
  • It recommends the need for investment in grid infrastructure and storage, diversification of supply chains, and prioritization of emerging markets.

Significance of the ISA

On solar energy transition

• Solar energy is more dependable, reliable, and available for more months of the year when compared to other forms of renewable energy.
• It can also be deployed in small sizes making it suitable for ensuring energy access.
• Solar energy contributed to the electrification of remote communities due to its ability to be deployed in mini-grids.

Global South

• The ISA is critical for the energy transition of the Global South and the 750 million people who do not have access to energy.
• ISA could help generate investment for the Global South, and help establish regulatory structures and physical structures.
• The ISA has established the Global Solar Facility in order to achieve one of the ISA’s focus areas i.e expansion of solar installations in Africa and later expand to West Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Emissions reduction

• Although the world has unanimously agreed on the need for energy transition and emissions reduction, there has been a reduction in the pace and scale of emissions reduction.
• Global temperature has already risen by 1.01°C highlighting the need for an efficient and quick transition led by solar energy.
• The ISA leads the process of emission reduction by advocating and supporting the adoption of energy sources that emit less greenhouse gases.

Cost-effective programmes

• ISA can help ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all in its member countries.
• ISA covers the complete spectrum of solar applications and technologies and provides financial assistance of grants of up to US$ 50,000 for demonstration projects that showcase solar potential.
• The ISA also facilitates the availability of trained human resources through the STAR-C initiative.
• A Green Hydrogen Innovation Centre was launched by the ISA in July 2023.

Focus of the Sixth ISA Assembly

• The Sixth Assembly of the ISA in Delhi will discuss ISA initiatives that impact energy access, energy security, and energy transitions.
• It will focus on
  • Universalisation of energy access through solar mini-grids
  • Mobilising Finance for accelerated solar deployment
  • Diversifying supply chains and manufacturing for solar

Conclusion

• The ISA, which is an India-led forum, has a crucial role to play in the energy transition to cleaner sources such as solar and wind energy.
• India has exhibited one of the highest rates of growth of renewable energy capacity in the world indicating that solar energy can be the solution to universal energy problems.

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FAQs

MCQs

Question: Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2016)

1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015.
2. The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Question: Consider the following statements

1. Gujarat has the largest solar park in India.
2. Kerala has a fully solar-powered International Airport.
3. Goa has the largest floating solar photovoltaic project in India.

Which of the statements given below is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3

(d) 3 only