The International Solar Alliance (ISA) will organize the first-ever World Solar Technology Summit (WSTS)  on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. The summit will bring together key stakeholders – leading academic scientists, technology developers, researchers, and innovators on one platform.

ISA aims to discuss the recent developments in solar technologies both in terms of cost and technology, along with technology transfers, challenges, and concerns in the field.

The alliance, which is an Indian initiative, was jointly launched by Prime Minister Modi and former French President Hollande on November 30, 2015, in Paris, on the sidelines of COP21, the UN climate conference. The ISA is a coalition of solar-resource-rich countries (which lie entirely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn) to address their special energy needs.

The main objective of the summit is to showcase next-generation solar technologies to member countries. Mercom recently analyzed how technological upgrades are imperative for India’s solar sector.

The summit will also allow decision-makers and stakeholders to meet and discuss their priorities and strategic agenda towards a broader integration. Some of the key events during the summit include the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ISA and the International Institute for Refrigeration (Paris); and a partnership agreement between ISA and Global Green Growth Institute (South Korea) for the promotion of one million solar pumps.

Partnership agreements on the implementation of 47 projects will also be signed and exchanged between ISA and NTPC. A partnership agreement on the ‘One Sun One World One Grid’ will be signed and exchanged between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the World Bank, and the ISA.

As of June 2020, the ISA framework agreement has been signed by 86 countries, with 68 having submitted instruments of ratification.

Last year, it was announced that the ISA would no longer be treated as a foreign source of funding.

Previously, the Commonwealth of Nations and the ISA signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand solar power in the Commonwealth member countries. The ISA and Commonwealth have at least 28 common member countries.

Mercom earlier reported that ISA announced the launch of eight new and innovative initiatives at a meeting of the members of the ISA in May 2020. The announcement also included the action plan for developing up to 20 GW of solar parks.