ISA to Discuss the Solar Global Capability Centre: Accelerating Digital Transformation for the Global Solar Future

Across the world’s leading solar markets, deep-tech solutions are transforming how solar power is designed, deployed, and maintained. AI helps forecast sunshine and identify optimal sites for projects. Digital twins and the Internet of Things (IoT) ensure that plants operate efficiently and predictively. Online marketplaces and e-permitting systems simplify procurement and approvals, while automated checks and open data enable seamless information flow from planning to operation. Together, these innovations make solar deployment faster, cheaper, and more reliable — turning complexity into opportunity.

To bring these advancements within reach of all countries, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) is developing the concept of a Solar Global Capability Centre (GCC) — a global hub for solar expertise, innovation, and collaboration. The GCC is envisioned as a bridge between advanced solar ecosystems and emerging markets, introducing deep-tech and digital solutions into everyday solar deployment across the Global South.

At its core, the GCC will democratize solar knowledge. It aims to transform localized expertise into shared, reusable platforms and open-source solutions, giving countries structured access to established standards, business models, and financing practices — so that no country has to start from scratch. As a neutral, ISA-hosted service, the GCC would translate innovation into practical, ready-to-deploy offerings that are affordable, scalable, and easy to localize. By doing so, it would accelerate the transfer of knowledge and best practices from one country to many, shortening timelines and reducing costs across the global solar value chain.

The proposed GCC is structured around four strategic pillars that reflect the evolving needs of governments, industries, academia, and communities:

1. Advisory Services – Providing expert insights and strategic guidance to empower policymakers and stakeholders to make informed, future-ready decisions.

2. AI & Digital Services – Leveraging data and automation to optimize every phase of the solar lifecycle, boost performance, ensure reliability, and enable smarter collaboration across geographies.

3. International Centre of Excellence (CoE) – Strengthening technical expertise, leadership, and innovation within the solar energy value chain, with a particular focus on closing the critical skills gap in developing countries. Through the STAR-C Programme and a new Online Learning Platform, the GCC would help build a skilled global solar workforce.

   • ISA Academy: A flagship online platform offering accessible, high-quality training in solar energy for technicians, engineers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and students — combining global trends, technical know-how, and strategic insight to drive innovation and growth.

4. Enterprise Development & Innovation – Supporting start-ups, innovators, and clean-energy entrepreneurs to nurture new ideas, incubate businesses, and scale impactful technologies and models.

The concept of the Solar Global Capability Centre will be discussed during the Eighth Session of the International Solar Alliance Assembly (27–30 October 2025, New Delhi). The session will bring together representatives from 124 member countries, alongside investors, partners, and international leaders. Industry executives, policymakers, and technology experts will explore how AI and digital innovation can empower the Global South to leapfrog traditional barriers — from policy and permitting to technical skills and access to finance — enabling faster, more affordable, and more sustainable solar deployment worldwide.

Through the GCC, ISA seeks to shape a future where solar knowledge and innovation flow freely across borders, turning today’s digital transformation into tomorrow’s inclusive energy transition.