The International Solar Alliance (ISA) organised the "First World Solar Technology Summit" on 8 September 2020. According to the organisers, more than 26 000 participants from 153 countries registered. It is estimated that up to 10 000 participants attended the event via live stream. The First World Solar Technology Summit focused on cutting-edge and next-generation technologies that will strengthen efforts to use solar energy more efficiently. CEOs of leading global companies and associations of the German solar industry, that were suggested by the German Embassy in New Delhi and the Indo-German Energy Forum Support Office, presented their innovations.

Among others the following companies were represented on the highest level with NexWafe on innovative solar wafer manufacturing, Meyer Burger on highly efficient hetero junction cell production, Sono Motors on electric mobility combined with PV and the European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) as well as the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association VDMA on latest technology developments across the globe. 

Apart from four Indian state ministers, the following high-ranking personalities actively participated in the event: 

• H.E. Ms. Barbara Pompili, Hon'ble Minister of Ecological Transition, Govt. of France and Co-President of the ISA Assembly
• H.E. Ms Kadri Simson, Commissioner for Energy, representing Hon'ble President, European Commission, Brussels
• H.E. Mr. Poasi Mattaele Tei, Hon'ble Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications of Tonga & Vice President, ISA Assembly (Asia Pacific)
• H.E. Mr. Luis Miguel Incháustegui Zevallos, Minister of Energy and Mines, Republic of Peru & Vice President of ISA Assembly (LAC Region)
• H.E. Mr. Ably Bidamon Dederiwe, Minister of Mines and Energy, Togolese Republic & Vice President of ISA Assembly (Africa Region)

Partnership agreements were signed in the areas of transmission grids, large-scale PV systems and cooling. Among others, an agreement between ISA and the Indian state power plant operator National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) was signed on the construction of 47 specific solar projects in ISA member countries. Another partnership was signed by the International Institute for Refrigeration, Paris, to formalise cooperation on an "ISA Cooling Initiative", which aims to combine solar energy with energy efficiency and cooling. Worldbank signed a cooperation agreement to support ISA in the mega project "One Sun, One World, One Grid" (OSOWOG) envisioned by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. Such a trans-national electricity super grid shall supply solar power across the globe and bring peace to this world by making conflicts related to fossil fuel resources obsolete as well as by creating physical bonds between nations.

For more insights watch the sessions on our Youtube Channel: Click here.