International Solar Alliance Secretariat

What International Solar Alliance Secretariat does

The International Solar Alliance Secretariat (ISA) is an intergovernmental organization established in 2015 by India and France at COP21 and headquartered in Gurugram, India, with 51–100 employees serving as the operational arm for 119+ signatory and 99+ ratifying member countries (128 members as of July 2026). Its core technology is a multilateral programmatic platform organized around nine application verticals — Scaling Solar Applications for Agricultural Use, Affordable Finance at Scale, Scaling Rooftop, Scaling Solar E-Mobility & Storage, Scaling Solar Mini Grids, ISA Solar Park Programme, Solarizing Heating and Cooling Systems, Solar PV Battery and Waste Management, and Solar for Green Hydrogen — supported by enabling mechanisms including SolarX (startup accelerator), STAR-C (capacity building), the Africa Solar Facility ($200M risk-mitigation product launched October 2025), One Sun One World One Grid (cross-border interconnection initiative), the Solar Compass Journal (with Elsevier), and the Ease of Doing Solar benchmarking report.

ISA does not monetize membership fees or programmatic access; its 51–100 staff are funded through member contributions, development partner grants, and earmarked programs (e.g., the IBSA Fund $2M solar-pumping pilot, GGGI trust fund for 1 million solar water pumping systems). Members receive technical missions, feasibility studies, capacity building for bankers and technicians, aggregated-demand competitive bidding (achieving 47% price reductions versus African market rates on 272,579 solar water pumping systems), and access to blended finance via partnerships with ADB, EIB, MIGA, GEAPP/Rockefeller, Africa50, BOAD, and others. Distribution runs through Country Partnership Frameworks, a National Focal Points network in 120+ countries, four regional committees (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, LAC), and an annual Assembly.

Customer/member engagement is bilateral and government-led (e.g., Rajasthan, MSEDCL, Mauritius, Cuba, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Ok Tedi Mining in Papua New Guinea). ISA's strategic intent is to mobilize $1 trillion in third-party solar investments by 2030, install 1,000 GW of solar capacity, deliver energy access to 1,000 million people, and mitigate 1,000 million tonnes of CO₂ annually. Headwinds include the US withdrawal under President Trump; tailwinds include India's 150+ GW solar capacity, global capacity above 1.86 TW, and ISA's recent product launches in battery recycling, digital infrastructure for decentralized solar, and unified global clean energy events.

Name

International Solar Alliance Secretariat

Legal name

International Solar Alliance

Website

https://isolaralliance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The International Solar Alliance Secretariat is an intergovernmental organization of 128 member countries, headquartered in Gurugram, India, that convenes governments, development finance institutions, and private partners to deploy solar energy across nine programmatic verticals targeting 1,000 GW and $1 trillion in mobilized investment by 2030.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Multilateral Solar Energy Cooperation

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar Financing, Leasing & Ownership Platforms (Tax Equity, PPA, Securitization) (EUAMABAJ)

Keywords

• Solar energy deployment
• Intergovernmental solar cooperation
• Renewable energy financing
• Solar capacity building
• Solar energy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Gurugram

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

ISA operates as a multilateral platform accelerating global solar energy deployment through nine programmatic areas: agricultural solar applications, affordable finance, rooftop solar, e-mobility and storage, mini-grids, solar parks, heating and cooling, battery and waste management, and green hydrogen. It provides technical assistance, capacity building, financing facilitation, and Country Partnership Frameworks at no cost to its 120+ member countries. Supporting initiatives include SolarX Startup Challenge, STAR-C capacity centres, Ease of Doing Solar benchmarking reports, and the Africa Solar Facility for risk mitigation financing.

Product overview

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) operates as an action-oriented, member-driven collaborative platform structured around nine comprehensive programmes addressing distinct solar energy applications. The core programmes include Scaling Solar Applications for Agricultural Use (SSAAU), Affordable Finance at Scale, Scaling Rooftop Solar, Scaling Solar E-Mobility & Storage, Scaling Solar Mini Grids, ISA Solar Park Programme, Solarizing Heating and Cooling Systems, Solar PV Battery and Waste Management, and Solar for Green Hydrogen. Supporting these are enabling initiatives including SolarX Startup Challenge for entrepreneurship, STAR-C for capacity building, Ease of Doing Solar for benchmarking, Solar Compass Journal for research, One Sun One World One Grid for interconnected grids, and the Africa Solar Facility for risk mitigation financing. The platform's governance is anchored by the annual ISA Assembly. Together these form an integrated ecosystem aimed at mobilizing $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030 while delivering energy access to 1,000 million people.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• STAR-C: Solar Technology Application Resource Centre - a capacity building initiative
• SolarX
• One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG)
• Ease of Doing Solar
• Solar Compass

Quantifiable outcome

• 47% cost reduction through international competitive bidding for solar water pumping systems compared to prevailing African market prices
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2022ISA partnered with GEAPP, launched at UNGA, to accelerate energy transition. GEAPP is backed by the Rockefeller Foundation and works with Indian states on energy efficiency projects. An agreement was signed to mobilize $100 million for solar projects.
• GEAPP India Working GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2022ISA co-hosted the launch of The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) India Working Group to coordinate energy transition efforts in India.
• Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) - India Grids of the Future AcceleratorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched India Grids of the Future Accelerator at Mumbai Climate Week 2026 to modernize India's power grid, deploying up to $25 million by 2028 to enhance grid reliability and energy integration.
• Africa50coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU between ISA and Africa50 supports development and execution of solar projects across African nations and mobilises funds to co-finance solar initiatives within the region.
• West African Development Bank (BOAD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA and BOAD signed MoU to strengthen cooperation to identify, facilitate, and effectively implement solar energy projects for economic integration of the West African region.
• West African Power Pool (WAPP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA signed MOU with WAPP to facilitate development of Utility-Scale Solar Parks/Projects in Western Africa Region. Joint training hosted on ground mounted and floating solar PV.
• Airports Council International (ACI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA signed MOU with ACI to develop joint projects for accelerating solar deployment across airports globally.
• Asian Development Bank (ADB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA collaborates with ADB on various initiatives including Green Hydrogen for Net Zero side event at Asia Clean Energy Forum, blended finance risk mitigation facility, and technical assistance.
• World Resources Institute (WRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA and WRI announced Solar Investment roadmap for mobilizing $1 trillion for scaling solar at SEforALL Global Forum 2022.
• UNDPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA signed MOU with UNDP for a multi-country project on solar applications for agriculture. Also discusses partnership towards Solar for Net Zero.
• International Civil Aviation OrganisationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA signed MOU to work towards enhancing the use of solar energy in international civil aviation.
• ElseviercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA and Elsevier launched Solar Compass research journal at COP26 to advance solar energy knowledge and best practices globally.
• International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA and IRENA discuss joint workplan for cooperation in Africa & Asia Pacific regions, solar adoption across sectors, and Green Hydrogen.
• Green Hydrogen Organisation (GH2)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA signed MOU with Green Hydrogen Organisation to develop a Green Hydrogen Policy Hub under its 'Solar for Green Hydrogen' programme.
• Health Innovation Exchange (HIEx)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA signs MOU with HIEx to promote use of solar energy for sustainable development with focus on SDG3: Good Health and Well-Being.
• World Climate FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA partnered with World Climate Foundation to work on Solar Facility to enhance solar financing in Africa.
• Africa Infrastructure Development Association (AfiDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA signs letter of cooperation with AfiDA to work towards mobilizing climate finance for solar energy programmes in ISA Member countries of Africa Region.
• Japan - JBIC, JICA, NEDOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA and Government of Japan, JBIC, JICA, NEDO signed Memorandum of Cooperation to establish framework for multilateral cooperation in renewable energy.
• GIZ (Germany)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDG-ISA met with GIZ representatives including new programme director for Indo-German Energy Programme to discuss areas of collaboration.
• NTPC LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA and NTPC cooperation includes 450MW Solar Park project in Ethiopia, 1150 MW Solar PV projects in Cuba, and joint meetings with country delegations.
• EDF (Électricité de France)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDG ISA met with EDF President and CEO to discuss ISA-EDF partnership and avenues to collaborate to promote Solar across Member Countries.
• European UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU and Government of France launched projects to support ISA's Capacity Building initiatives through STAR-C and deepen cooperation with solar energy businesses, academic networks, and financial institutions.
• Government of India - Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint initiatives including unified global clean energy events platform (RE-INVEST, ICGH, ISA Assembly), side events on solar energy, and regular high-level consultations.
• UNICEFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiscussions on potential collaboration areas.
• BSW-German Solar AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA signed MOC with BSW-German Solar Association to cooperate in areas of mutual concern by promoting use of Renewable Energy Technologies in ISA Member Countries.
• Smart Energy Council (Australia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA shared insights on ongoing initiatives and discussed areas of cooperation in scaling solar deployment with Australian Smart Energy Council.
• International Water Management Institute (IWMI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU executed with IWMI Sri Lanka for jointly working in the field of Solar Irrigation and DREAM Irrigation project briefing in Ethiopia.
• United NationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNGA granted Observer Status to ISA. DG ISA met with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at UN Secretariat and discussed collaborative efforts for achieving SDGs and expediting climate action.
• GGGI (Global Green Growth Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture of ISA-GGGI for facilitating implementation of 1 million SWPS in 13 Africa, Asia and Asia Pacific Countries by creation of trust fund.
• Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerISA Secretariat undertook global tendering through EESL for International Competitive Bidding for Solar Water Pumping Systems, discovering about 47% lesser prices compared to prevailing prices in Africa.
• Invest IndiacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerISA and Invest India hosted first Accelerator Workshop with 20 winning startups of SolarX Challenge in Kigali, Rwanda.
• TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA on retreat at TERI Campus, collaborated on building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) case study compendium at COP30.
• Commonwealth SecretariatminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecretary-General Patricia Scotland QC visited ISA to review progress of collaborative initiatives and determine future course of action.
• La FrancophonieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDG-ISA met with Antoine Michon of La Francophonie in Paris to discuss initiatives like ISA's STAR C and collaborations for scaling up solar.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Regional players

• African Development Bank (AfDB): AfDB is the continent's premier development finance institution supporting energy access and renewables across Africa. It is comparable to ISA through shared focus on solar deployment in Africa (relevant to ISA's Africa Solar Facility), though AfDB operates regionally and as a capital provider rather than a coordination platform.

Direct peers

• International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA): IRENA is the leading intergovernmental organization mandated to promote the widespread adoption of sustainable renewable energy. It is directly comparable to ISA as a UN-aligned, member-state-driven platform focused on renewable energy deployment, policy advisory, capacity building, and investment facilitation across 180+ member countries.
• Climate Investment Funds (CIF): CIF is a multilateral climate finance channel operating through MDBs to mobilize concessional financing for clean energy in developing countries. It is comparable to ISA through its blended finance mechanisms targeting solar and renewable deployment in low-income economies.
• Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL): SEforALL is a UN Secretary-General-backed global initiative working to achieve universal energy access and accelerate the clean energy transition. It is comparable to ISA through its multilateral governance, country-partnership model, and focus on mobilizing finance and policy support for clean energy in developing economies.
• Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI): GGGI is a treaty-based international organization supporting green growth in developing and emerging economies. It is comparable to ISA through its member-state structure, country-partnership delivery model, and joint venture with ISA on the 1 million solar water pumping systems program.
• Green Climate Fund (GCF): GCF is a multilateral fund dedicated to helping developing countries reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. It is comparable to ISA through its member-state governance, focus on climate finance mobilization, and ISA's DG Dr. Mathur previously served as Interim Director, illustrating direct institutional linkage.

Broad incumbents

• Asian Development Bank (ADB): ADB is a regional development bank financing infrastructure and clean energy across Asia-Pacific. It is comparable to ISA through its core strategic partnership on Green Hydrogen, blended finance risk mitigation facilities, and the Asia Clean Energy Forum—although ADB operates as a financial institution rather than a coordination platform.
• International Energy Agency (IEA): IEA is an intergovernmental energy organization providing authoritative analysis, data, and policy recommendations across all energy sources. It is comparable to ISA through its intergovernmental mandate, though IEA focuses on broader energy topics while ISA specializes exclusively in solar.
• World Bank Group (Energy Sector): The World Bank's energy programs provide policy advice, financing, and technical assistance for renewable energy deployment globally. It is comparable to ISA through its global mandate and member-country engagement on solar and electrification, though the World Bank operates a vastly larger capital base across all development sectors.

Emerging players

• World Resources Institute (WRI): WRI is a global research organization working on environment and sustainability, including energy transition. It is comparable to ISA through their joint Solar Investment roadmap for mobilizing $1 trillion announced at SEforALL Global Forum 2022, positioning WRI as a research/policy partner in solar deployment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/isolaralliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Solar Alliance Secretariat