The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is all set to host its inaugural World Solar Technology Summit on September 8th, 2020. The event will be held virtually owing to the ongoing global health crisis. This groundbreaking initiative aims to spotlight the latest and future technologies that promise to enhance our ability to harness solar energy more efficiently.
Keynote Speakers: A Blend of Leaders and Innovators
The guest list for the summit includes influential figures from different domains. The Prime Minister of India will deliver the opening address at the First World Solar Technology Summit. The event also expects participation by ministers from member countries across all ISA regions.
Nobel laureate Dr. M. Stanley Whittingham, who shared the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of lithium-ion batteries, is another notable attendee. Additionally, CEOs from top global corporations will offer insights into how scientific breakthroughs and innovations can be made commercially viable for wider consumption worldwide.
Agenda: Four Sessions, Four Themes
The event will be conducted in four languages: English, Spanish, French, and Arabic. It is divided into four technical sessions:
Session 1 – “Vision 2030 & Beyond” discusses the future of Photovoltaic (PV) technology development. It predicts PV technologies to supply 70% of the world’s electricity generation.
Session 2 – “Towards a Decarbonised Grid” emphasizes on recent advancements pertaining to PV modules and storage technologies, such as conversion efficiency improvements and declining costs.
Session 3 – “Disruptive Solar Technologies” dives into on-grid applications like ground-mounted, floating, or integrated residential and commercial rooftops.
Session 4 – “Solar Beyond the Power Sector” presents innovative applications where PV is used for movement, heating, cooling, eco-friendly industrial processes, production of fuels and off-grid applications.
Introducing: ISA Journal on Solar Energy
ISA plans to launch the ISA Journal on Solar Energy (I JOSE) during the event. This journal will be a global platform for authors to publish their articles on solar energy. These articles will be reviewed by global experts and circulated among the member countries through ISA’s network of National Focal Points (NFPs) and Solar Technology and Application Resource Centers (STAR).
India’s Endeavors in Solar Energy
Solar energy holds a prominent position in India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change through the National Solar Mission. Launched in January 2010, the mission’s objective is to establish India as a global leader in solar energy. It targets installing 100 GW grid-connected solar power plants by 2022.
To meet this target, India has launched various schemes encouraging solar power generation, like Solar Park Scheme, Canal bank & Canal top Scheme, Bundling Scheme, Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Scheme and more. Notably, India’s solar power capacity has seen an 11-fold increase in the last five years, reaching 30 GW in July 2019 from 2.6 GW in March 2014. A recent addition is a 750 MW solar project in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh.
Ambitious Global Project: ‘One Sun One World One Grid’
India has proposed an ambitious cross-border power grid plan—‘One Sun One World One Grid’. This initiative aims to transfer solar power generated in one region to satisfy the electricity demands of others.
The Vision of International Solar Alliance
The International Solar Alliance, announced by the Indian Prime Minister and former French President on November 30th, 2015, aims to meet the energy needs of solar-resource-rich countries through a coalition. The ISA comprises of 67 signatory countries.
The core vision of ISA is to facilitate the deployment of over 1,000 GW of solar energy and mobilize more than USD 1,000 billion into solar power by 2030 in Member countries. As solar is a key source of affordable and reliable energy, it could help achieve the universal energy access goal (SDG 7).
The Indian Government has provided a 5-acre space to ISA at the National Institute of Solar Energy campus in Gurugram and released Rs. 160 crores for infrastructure and recurring expenditure till the year 2021-2022.
