In its recent gesture of support for renewable energy, India has gifted 193 solar panels to the United Nations (UN). These solar panels are for each of UN’s 193 member nations.

The 193 solar panels will be installed at the roof of the UN headquarters in New York City, and are expected to generate a peak power of 50 kW. The panels have been valued at approximately $1 million, according to news agency PTI.

“India’s promotion of the use of solar energy @UN is now well known. 1 panel 4, every Member State – 193. India is a votary of equality too,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin tweeted with the hashtags ‘#ClimateActionNow’ and ‘#Equality’.

“India is a votary of equality too,” he tweeted.

In September 2018, Mercom had reported that India contributed $1 million for the development of a solar project at the United Nations headquarters.

The contribution was to help reduce carbon footprint and promote sustainable energy, India’s permanent representative to the UN ambassador Syed Akbaruddin said in a tweet.

In June 2018, it was reported that during a session on the World Environment Day, Akbaruddin said that India intends to partner with the UN Secretariat to use renewable solar energy at the UN premises. He had expressed hope that by the next World Environment Day, solar power would be part of the energy mix used at the UN building.

Further, in June 2019, it was reported that the Commonwealth of Nations and the International Solar Alliance (ISA), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand solar power in the Commonwealth member countries. The ISA and Commonwealth have at least 28 common member countries of which, India is also a member.

The Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Arjoon Suddhoo had said that no country or group would be able to achieve global clean energy transition alone and it’s essential to build partnerships across countries, sectors, and stakeholders.

On October 2, 2016, India became the 62^nd country to ratify the Paris Agreement. The country has set a goal of generating 40% of its electricity from renewable energy sources as part of its plan.

Anjana is a news editor at Mercom India. Before joining Mercom, she held roles of senior editor, district correspondent, and sub-editor for The Times of India, Biospectrum and The Sunday Guardian. Before that, she worked at the Deccan Herald and the Asianlite as chief sub-editor and news editor. She has also contributed to The Quint, Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express, Reader’s Digest (UK edition), IndiaSe (Singapore-based magazine) and Asiaville. Anjana holds a Master’s degree in Geography from North Bengal University, and a diploma in mass communication and journalism from Guru Ghasidas University, Bhopal.