STAR C

STAR C:

Prominent among ISA’s endeavours is a project with the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France to build the capacity of ISA and Member Countries to structure an International Network of Solar Technology and Application Resource Centres (STAR-C) jointly implemented by United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and ISA. The project, launched in June 2022, focuses on strengthening quality infrastructure and standards for photo voltaic (PV) and solar thermal products and services. In the coming years, these centres will become more important than ever. The potential benefits of forming a regional and global network of the STAR Centres are also significant given the increasing number of countries are getting associated with ISA.

ISA is engaged with potential donors for financial support to enhance the impact of this flagship programme globally. The STAR-C initiative has made great strides in the past year, since the ISA Assembly decided in its first meeting in 2018 to set up STAR Centres to address the challenges developing countries faced with adoption of solar energy. Developing countries, particularly in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face both supply and demand barriers such as lack of technical knowledge, awareness among decision makers and incentives for innovation, among others. The STAR Centres support capacity building skills aligned with the training needs of each country to boost economic growth and job creation.

Under the STAR-C initiative, ISA has signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with over eight countries to establish STAR Centres and has also identified host institutions where they can be set up. Detailed country assessments have been completed in six countries – Ethiopia, Cuba, Somalia, Cote D’Ivoire, Uganda and Kiribati. Based on the country assessments, ISA develops a detailed project report with a two-year work plan for the STAR-C activities as well as a business plan for sustainability of the -STAR Centres. Five STAR Centres are expected to be operational by 2023 end.

The ISA is also actively engaged with seven countries – Zimbabwe, Benin, Bangladesh, Venezuela, Sudan, Cameroon and Ghana – to set up STAR Centres, and formal expressions of interest have been submitted by the nodal ministries of these countries. Similarly, the ISA is engaging with Tonga, Benin, Madagascar, Niger, and other Member Countries to set up STAR Centres. Initial discussions with the countries are promising and ISA intends to formalise the engagement for setting up centres in these countries in the coming months. It also aims to improve local capacities in Bhutan, Papua New Guinea and Senegal to provide certified solar curricula and training as well as strengthen solar networks and knowledge management.

Country assessments under the STAR-C initiative analyse:

• Training and equipment needs specific to the country
• Existing infrastructure and capacity of the host institution
• Innovation and incubation ecosystem
• Collaboration possibilities with host government and other agencies
• Existing solar training curriculum for its content, purpose, duration, participants, delivery method as well as suggest improvements to gaps through STAR Centers

The Government of India has been supporting the ISA by providing training to master trainers in the field of solar energy through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Scheme. The duration of the training is 21 days and all costs are borne by the Government of India. In 2018-2019, 133 candidates from 25 countries were trained at the National Institute of Solar Energy, Gurugram, with the support of the ITEC programme.

The Objective of the fellowship scheme is to contribute towards the long-term development needs of member countries, through the creation of a skilled and qualified professional manpower for management of solar energy projects, programmes and policies. Under this scheme, fellowships in the field of solar energy management will be offered to mid-career professionals from ISA countries for pursuing a master’s degree in renewable energy management and economics. They would be expected to contribute towards policy development in their home country which in turn will help ISA achieve its objectives. 21 candidates from 18 ISA Member countries are currently pursuing Masters degree in RE Management and Economics in the first batch that commenced on 22 July 2019.

Infopedia is an online platform dedicated to the dissemination of information, best practices and knowledge on Solar Energy. This project is supported by the EU and is likely to be launched in October 2019.

ISA’s first programme, Scaling Solar Applications for Agricultural Use (SSAAU), was launched in New York, USA on 22nd April 2016. The SSAAU Programme mainly focusses on decentralized solar applications in rural settings. The key technologies covered under this programme include Solar Powered Irrigation Systems, Solar Drying, Solar Home/ Street Lighting Systems, Solar Chilling and other off-grid applications.