“The STAR Centre training was highly enriching, providing valuable knowledge and practical skills in solar mini-grid installations. It enhanced my career prospects and strengthened my passion for promoting clean energy solutions.”
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CAPACITY BUILDING & SOLAR INNOVATION
Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR-C)
STAR Centres equip ISA Member Countries with the skills, infrastructure, and innovation ecosystem needed to accelerate solar deployment, strengthen institutions, create green jobs, and drive sustainable economic growth.
Overview
Building Capacity for the Solar Transition
A STAR Centre is a training, knowledge, and expertise hub on solar energy and a go-to place for the member countries at regional and country levels to meet Countries’ capacity-building needs by building capable solar workforces, sensitizing policy makers and financial institutions, incubating enterprises, standardizing products and services, and creating knowledge repository on information/data related to solar energy.
Functions of STAR Centres
STAR Centres support capacity building across the solar value chain through workforce development, technology testing, entrepreneurship support, and knowledge management.
Capacity
Building
Capacity Building
The STAR Centre develops high-quality, standardized training resources and delivers competency-based training programmes covering the technical and financial aspects of solar products, applications, and services. It provides training for government officials, technicians, engineers, financial institutions, and industry associations.
Testing
Testing
The STAR Centres strengthen the capabilities of institutions to test key solar components—including modules, inverters, balance-of-system components, and solar applications—to ensure quality, improve reliability, and prevent the use of substandard products.
Innovation
Innovation
The STAR Centres provide early-stage support to incubate startups and small enterprises, fostering regional innovation and recognizing local innovators. By promoting innovative solutions to country-specific energy challenges, they help create green jobs and strengthen the clean energy ecosystem.
Knowledge
Management
Knowledge Management
The Centre collects, analyses, and disseminates knowledge on solar energy to a wider audience. It serves as a knowledge hub by providing solar energy data, guidelines, analytical tools, policy resources, and technical assistance to solar developers, decision-makers, and local institutions.
Driving Impact Through STAR Centres
Resource Hub
A one-stop centre for capacity building, testing, standardization, and incubation, fostering local technical expertise and increasing awareness among decision-makers.
Drive Investment
The Centre engages financial institutions to improve the economic viability of solar projects by reducing investment risks and facilitating access to large-scale, affordable financing for solar energy deployment.
Promote Green Jobs
The Centre develops a skilled solar workforce by enhancing professional standards, supporting internationally recognized certification, and creating cross-border employment opportunities.
Incentivize Innovation
The Centre supports capable enterprises, promotes standardized solar products and services, and fosters a culture of innovation across the solar energy sector.
Strengthen Local Capacity
De-risks investments, making countries investment-ready.
Testimonials
“The training at the STAR Centre was incredibly rewarding. It gave me practical experience and valuable knowledge of solar technology, preparing me for a career in the solar energy sector.”
-Trainee, Ethiopia
Partners
International cooperation is key to the success of ISA initiatives. For the STAR-C initiative, the government of France has seconded a French expert and has provided financial support. Countries like Denmark and philanthropic organisations (GEAPP, CIFF, McArthur Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies) have recently joined the STAR-C initiative and amplified the impact with the required technical and financial support.
