IIT Delhi signs MoU with International Solar Alliance to strengthen solar education and research

The International Solar Alliance and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand collaboration in renewable energy, with a focus on capacity building, academic programs, and research across ISA member countries.

The MoU, formalized on Feb 25, outlines a framework for action aimed at strengthening cooperation in solar energy training, technology development, and knowledge exchange. It was signed by Ashish Khanna, Director General of ISA, and Prof Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi.

The partnership seeks to support the training of renewable energy engineers, Solar Technology Application Resource Centre trainers, and research professionals. It will also promote joint research initiatives and structured academic engagement in the field of solar energy.

Senior representatives from both institutions attended the signing ceremony, including Prof Vivek V Buwa, Deputy Director Strategy and Planning, IIT Delhi; Prof Dhanya CT, Dean Academics; Prof Somnath Baidya Roy, Dean Planning; Prof Nilanjan Senroy, Dean Alumni Relations; Felipe Saliba, Chief of Unit KMID at ISA; and Prof Ramesh Narayanan, Head of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering at IIT Delhi.

The agreement builds on ongoing collaboration between ISA and IIT Delhi’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering, which has supported an M Tech program in Renewable Energy Technologies and Management for professionals from 18 developing countries in Africa and the Asia Pacific region.

Speaking at the event, Khanna said, “Over the last five years, over a hundred students undertook masters in renewable energy through our partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, where they are now taking on leadership roles across Africa, SIDS, and neighboring regions, driving solar deployment and energy access where it is needed most.”

“Building on this strong foundation, we are now expanding this partnership to launch a one-year post graduate Diploma programme based on a Train-the-Trainers model. Leveraging IIT Delhi’s extensive academic network and in collaboration with Institut National de l'Énergie Solaire (France), this initiative will help establish a global framework for building clean energy capability across International Solar Alliance Member Countries,” Khanna added.

Khanna continued, “Looking ahead, we are also exploring the expansion of existing Master’s opportunities to include Master’s programmes in Public Policy and PhD – solar energy sector pathways, further deepening academic collaboration and strengthening the global clean energy talent pipeline. This has the potential to transform the human capability on solar energy in Global South countries.”

Prof Banerjee said, “We are delighted to sign this agreement with ISA to develop global capacity in solar and renewable energy. This will benefit the Global South and India to build a sustainable pathway to net zero. We will be incorporating the latest techniques of AI, ML, and Blockchain to enhance distributed solar and ensure security in future sustainable energy systems.”

Under the MoU, the two institutions will collaborate in four broad areas: training and talent development for solar professionals across ISA member countries; expansion of academic offerings including the Train the Trainers program, a Master’s in Public Policy, and a PhD pathway in the solar energy sector; joint research in areas such as solar resource assessment, quality standards, and emerging technologies; and outreach initiatives including workshops and seminars to strengthen the global solar knowledge ecosystem.

The MoU is intended to deepen long-term cooperation and build a stronger talent pipeline to support the global transition to clean energy.