The International Solar Alliance (ISA) will host its first international solar festival on September 5 and 6 in Delhi, aiming to highlight the role of solar energy in uplifting communities and providing universal energy access. Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, stated that India aims to install 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030.

“Nuclear energy will be a small component of that goal, with around 485 GW coming from renewables and 300 GW targeted to be solar. We need to quadruple our solar capacity in the next six years,” he said.

Solar energy is crucial for large-scale energy generation and serving remote rural populations, providing reliable electricity for lighting, cooking, and other appliances, especially in rural areas, Bhalla added.

Ajay Mathur, Director General of ISA, emphasized the profound opportunity solar energy presents in combating climate change. “Solar provides us with a cost-effective solution for numerous applications, from running cold storage to solar pumps, benefiting underserved communities,” Mathur said. He also noted that solar energy can stimulate local economies, reduce energy imports, and lower emissions.

“Our goal is to ensure every household has access to light. We have many success stories to share and celebrate, which is why we are organizing this festival,” Mathur added.

The ISA is a global intergovernmental organization dedicated to promoting solar power adoption, currently with 119 member and signatory countries. Its programs focus on setting up solar projects in countries most impacted by climate change, particularly in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).