Union Minister and ISA President Pralhad Joshi on October 8, 2025, launched the curtain-raiser for the Eighth Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly, scheduled from October 27 to 30 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The Assembly will bring together countries united by a shared commitment to advancing solar energy.
Addressing the gathering, Joshi said, “India has crossed 50% in non-fossil electricity capacity and now has nearly 125 GW of solar power, making it the world’s third-largest solar producer. Beyond numbers, solar energy is transforming lives, lighting rural homes, powering health centres, and empowering farmers.” He highlighted initiatives like the PM Surya Ghar - Muft Bijli Yojana and the PM-KUSUM scheme, which are solarising millions of households and agricultural pumps, ensuring clean energy reaches the last mile.
Launched by India and France at COP21 in Paris in 2015, ISA is the largest treaty-based intergovernmental organisation from the Global South, comprising 124 Member and Signatory countries. Held ahead of COP30 in Brazil, the Assembly aims to drive actionable solutions for large-scale solar deployment, technology innovation, and an inclusive energy transition.
Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, highlighted India’s position as the third-largest renewable energy installer globally and the second-largest manufacturer of solar modules after China. He also noted India’s progress in green hydrogen, targeting the production of 5 million tonnes by 2031. Praising ISA for fostering cross-country learning, Sarangi said India is ready to support similar solar deployment initiatives worldwide.
ISA Director General Ashish Khanna described the renewable energy sector as reaching a historic inflection point. “For the first time, renewable generation has surpassed fossil fuels. ISA is now a platform for collective action, turning commitments into measurable impact,” he said. He also highlighted India’s potential to become the “Silicon Valley for Solar” through the Global Capability Centre and STAR-C hubs, which provide technical support, digital tools, and training.
The Assembly will focus on four strategic pillars: Catalytic Finance Hub, Global Capability Centre & Digitisation, Regional & Country-Level Engagement, and Technology Roadmap & Policy. Ministerial and technical sessions will explore solutions for solar in agriculture, floating solar, AI integration, green hydrogen, and global financing models. ISA will also release its flagship reports, Ease of Doing Solar 2025 and Solar Trends 2025, tracking global progress and pathways for scaling solar deployment.
Earlier this year, regional ISA meetings in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa helped align local initiatives with global priorities, ensuring the Assembly delivers actionable outcomes and strengthens international collaboration in solar energy.
