International Solar Alliance (ISA) UPSC

International Solar Alliance (ISA)

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What is International Solar Alliance (ISA) ?

It is an Indian initiative , jointly launched by India and France in Paris (on sidelines of COP-21).

It is instituted to connect 121 solar resource rich nations for research , low cost financing and rapid deployment of clean energy.

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Where is Head quarter of International solar Alliance located ?

HQ of ISA is located in Gurogaon or Gurugram , Haryana (India).

What is the aim for making such an Alliance ?

To channel $300 billion in 10 years to promote renewable energy projects under a global mega fund for clean energy.

Who are members of International solar Alliance (ISA) ?

121 prospective countries those falling between Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn and those who are also member of United Nation.

How can a country join International solar alliance (ISA) ?

A country can join ISA by signing and ratifying the Framework Agreement of ISA or by acceptance/approval.

Note:-

Till date (July 2020) 81 countries (out of 121) have signed Framework agreement of International solar alliance , out of these 81 , 58 have ratified.

Can countries located outside tropics can be member of International solar alliance ?

Yes, UN member countries located out of Tropics can also join as 'Partner Countires'.

Note:-

• UN including its organ can also join ISA as 'Strategic Partners'.
• Organisations from the member countries (of ISA) can also join International solar alliance as 'Partner organisation'.

Are decision of International solar alliance binding ?

No, There is No target / legal obligation on members.

Structure of International solar alliance (ISA):

It has 2 tier structure 'Secretariat' & 'Assembly'.

Each member country of ISA is represented on Assembly which meets annually at the ministerial level at the seat of ISA (i.e Gurugram).

The assembly makes all necessary decisions regarding the functioning of the International solar alliance (including selection of Director General and approval of the operating budget).

Note:-

Each member of ISA has 1 vote in assembly.

Recent developments in International solar alliance (ISA):-

1st Assembly of ISA was held in New Delhi (India) on October 2018 which was organised by Ministry of new and renewable energy (GoI).

A recent amendment made in ISA agreement has now allowed all 192 member countries of the United Nations to join the Alliance. 

- Earlier, the alliance was only open to the solar resource-rich countries situated between the tropic of Cancer and tropic of Capricorn. 

STARC (Solar technology application resource centre)

Was approved in 1st ISA assembly , with an aim to setup in all eligible member countries to be train personnel of solar infrastructure.

2nd Assembly of ISA was hosted by MoN&RE (GoI) at New Delhi (India).

Govt of India has alloted 5 acres of land to ISA in 'National Institute of solar energy (NISE) campus (Gurugram , Haryana).