ISA and IIT Delhi Sign Framework to Boost Global Solar Skills
Partnership Expands Training, Research and Academic Programmes for Clean Energy Talent Across 120+ Member Countries
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi have formalised a Framework for Action (FFA) to expand cooperation in renewable energy, with a strong emphasis on solar skills, capacity building and academic collaboration across ISA Member Countries.
The agreement was signed by ISA Director General Ashish Khanna and IIT Delhi Director Prof. Rangan Banerjee in the presence of senior officials from both institutions. The partnership aims to strengthen human resource development in the solar sector by training renewable energy engineers, Solar Technology Application Resource-Centre (STAR-C) trainers and research professionals from developing countries.
The Framework builds on an existing collaboration between ISA and IIT Delhi’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering, which has already supported an M.Tech programme in Renewable Energy Technologies and Management for professionals from 18 developing nations across Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. Over the past five years, more than 100 students have completed their master’s degrees under this initiative and are now serving in leadership roles in their home countries, advancing solar deployment and energy access.
Under the expanded partnership, the two institutions will introduce a one-year Postgraduate Diploma programme based on a “Train-the-Trainers” model. The initiative will leverage IIT Delhi’s academic network and collaborate with France’s Institut National de l’Énergie Solaire to establish a global framework for clean energy capability development. Plans are also being explored to expand academic offerings to include a Master’s in Public Policy and Ph.D. pathways focused on the solar energy sector, deepening the global clean energy talent pool.
Speaking on the occasion, ISA Director General Ashish Khanna said the collaboration has the potential to transform solar human capability across Global South countries. He noted that strengthening local expertise is essential for scaling solar solutions where they are needed most.
Prof. Rangan Banerjee said IIT Delhi is committed to building global capacity in solar and renewable energy to support sustainable development and net-zero goals. He added that advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Blockchain will be integrated into future programmes to enhance distributed solar systems and improve energy security.
The Framework for Action outlines four core areas of cooperation: capacity building and talent development; expansion of academic programmes; joint research and knowledge creation; and outreach and knowledge exchange. The two institutions will co-host workshops and seminars, promote research in solar resource assessment and emerging technologies, and develop shared knowledge products.
Founded in 2015 by India and France at COP21 in Paris, ISA works with over 120 member and signatory countries to promote solar energy as a pathway to sustainable development. IIT Delhi, established in 1961 and recognised as an Institution of Eminence in 2018, has graduated over 65,000 students and remains a leading centre for research and innovation in science and technology.
