International Solar Alliance

The International Solar Alliance is proud to announce the inaugural CEO Caucus. This platform unites global leaders in clean technology, solar manufacturing, renewable energy, and major conglomerates committed to achieving net-zero emissions.

Our Mission

To address the industry's shared challenges, foster meaningful private sector engagement with key policymakers, and develop actionable solutions to accelerate the global adoption of solar energy.

Our Goals

Expanding the global footprint of solar manufacturing:

Addressing supply chain concentration and environmental concerns through targeted strategies and support measures.

Unlocking capital to propel solar manufacturing led growth:

Seeking innovative financing solutions to overcome global solar supply chain challenges and drive manufacturing growth.

Fostering technological innovations:

Democratizing advanced solar technologies and overcoming equipment bottlenecks in emerging markets through collaboration.

Applications oriented demand generation:

Promoting guaranteed demand initiatives and cross-sector partnerships to drive demand and boost solar manufacturing capacity.

Join us in shaping a sustainable future powered by solar energy.

Inaugural session to kick off CEO Caucus stakeholder deliberations

The CEO Caucus of International Solar Alliance (ISA) was launched on June 6th, 2024, driving discussions towards a more collaborative future for solar energy. The programme brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and institutions to explore solutions for advancing solar energy adoption.

Key discussions focused on strengthening public-private partnerships, incentivizing investment, improving financing options, and boosting innovation in solar technology. A critical emphasis was placed on the importance of resilient and geographically diverse global supply chains to unlock financing opportunities and drive technological advancements.

Continuous training programs and upskilling to meet the emerging demand was one notable takeaway as there would a burgeoning demand for workforce equipped with the latest skills to adapt to rapid technological advancements. Stakeholders also highlighted the need for diversifying supply chains to reduce reliance on single sources while enhancing global resilience.

The session underscored the significant role of both public and private sectors in realizing the full potential of solar energy, emphasizing that collaborative efforts are essential for a sustainable and prosperous future.

To learn more about the insightful perspectives, read the full report here.

European insights: Session two

On June 13th, 2024, ISA hosted its second CEO Caucus session in Brussels, Belgium, bringing together public and private sector leaders to discuss solar energy's role in enhancing energy security, combating climate change, and fostering sustainable development. Attendees included representatives from renewable energy organisations, investment banks, multilateral organisations, and various European Commission members.

The session reiterated the need for a skilled workforce to keep pace with rapid technological advancements in solar energy. Periodic and upgraded training programs were deemed essential for the current workforce to ensure a smooth transition. Participants also emphasized the importance of fostering R&D partnerships, setting global standards, and promoting innovation and collaboration to sustain industry growth.

Key takeaways included calls for enhanced roles for start-up incubators in creating an ecosystem for clean energy, emphasizing the importance of supportive policies and regulations like the Net Zero Industry Act. Strengthening grid infrastructure was also highlighted as crucial to increased solar deployment.

Diversifying of the global solar equipment manufacturing sector was re-emphasized to reduce dependency risks and create a balanced market globally. The discussion underscored the need for collaborative efforts among governments, private sectors, and international organizations to share best practices and foster technological innovation.

For more details on the discussions and initiatives, you can refer to the detailed insights of the session here.

New York discussion: Session Three

On July 15, 2024, the ISA CEO Caucus convened a high-profile group of leaders at the Harvard Club in New York to explore pathways for accelerating solar energy deployment in the Global South. Private sector focus and enhanced communication emerged as key themes. Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General of the ISA, highlighted stark disparities in global solar investments, with 74% going to OECD countries versus only 3% to Africa.

Discussions centered on overcoming barriers like high land costs, inadequate infrastructure, and fossil fuel subsidies. Collaboration between governments, the private sector, and intermediaries was emphasized to redirect investments towards smaller solar projects in underserved regions.

Key highlights included addressing challenges in demonstrating returns on solar investments in the Global South through impactful case studies. Effective communication strategies were identified as essential for building partnerships and ensuring communities benefit directly from solar initiatives.

For more details on the discussions and initiatives, read the full report - here.

Africa Discussion: Session Four

The ISA hosted a virtual private sector roundtable on 05 August 2024 to discuss bottlenecks in the solar industry by bringing together industry leaders and key stakeholders from intergovernmental bodies, solar manufacturing, solar development, finance, and clean technologies sector to deliberate on a smoother transition to green energy in Africa. The discussions also focused on facilitating accelerator workshops to help startups connect with potential investors and technology providers. Further, the need to accelerate the capacity-building process by enhancing skills on par with the growing solar industry was also highlighted.

For more details on the discussions and initiatives, read the full report - here.

Australia Discussion: Session Five

The ISA hosted a private sector roundtable on 14 August 2024 bringing together noted experts from Australia’s private sector, including experts in clean technologies, finance, solar manufacturing and deployment, renewable energy companies, and global conglomerates with significant Net Zero commitments. A vigorous discussion about the opportunities and challenges facing the Australian solar industry ensued, with a focus on identifying measures for a smooth transition to green energy. As the industry matures, developing and optimizing solar recycling technologies would help recover the quantity and quality of critical minerals for an improved circular economy as volumes increase.

For more details on the discussions and initiatives, read the full report here - here.

Pathway Document

During the ISA’s solar festival, the Pathway document, ‘Unlocking Solar Potential: The need for Private Sector Engagement,’ was launched on 06 September 2024. The document outlines critical strategies to unlock solar energy's potential globally.

Key insights include the need for targeted policy frameworks to foster solar adoption, the development of skilled labor, particularly in Africa, and the modernization of energy infrastructure to accommodate renewable energy. The document emphasizes the importance of grid expansion and flexibility to manage solar power intermittency and ensure energy stability. It also highlights the need for innovative financial mechanisms to mobilize investments, particularly in emerging markets, where financial challenges persist.

Additionally, the Pathway document calls for enhanced global cooperation to address supply chain challenges, promote technology transfer, and support sustainable practices such as solar panel recycling. Serving as a strategic roadmap, the document outlines actions to reduce regional disparities and advance global renewable energy goals.

Read the complete document here - here.