Solar Technology and Application Resource Centres
Source : PIB
GS II : Infrastructure
Overview
- News in Brief
- About Solar Technology and Application Resource Centres (STAR-C)
Why in News ?
India is considering expanding its solar Solar Technology and Application Resource Centres (STAR-C) initiative, run by the International Solar Alliance, to a number of Pacific Island countries, according to persons aware of the matter.
News in Brief
- The programme aims to boost solar power ecosystems in the poorest countries.
- In the Pacific, it currently runs in Tonga.
- India is looking to expand its diplomatic footprint in a region that has seen increased outreach by China.
- India’s efforts will primarily be focused on economic development, connectivity and climate change.
- The expansion of the STAR-C initiative will form a key part of that outreach.
About Solar Technology and Application Resource Centres (STAR-C)
- What is STAR-C?
Photo by Raphael Cruz on Unsplash - Create a strong network of institutional capacities within ISA Member States in solar Energy.
- Enhance quality infrastructure for the uptake of solar energy product and service markets.
- Majorly focus in least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS).
- Implementation
- Funding from the Government of France.
- First phase of the STAR C project will focus on
- Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
- East African Community (EAC)
- Pacific Community (SPC)/Pacific Island Forum (PIF)
International Solar Alliance
- It is instituted to connect 121 solar-resource-rich nations for research, low-cost financing and rapid deployment of clean energy.
- It aims to channel $300 billion in 10 years to promote renewable energy projects under a global mega fund for clean energy.
- Further, ISA has also been developing a Common Risk Mitigating Mechanism (CRMM) for de-risking and reducing the financial cost of solar projects in the ISA member countries.
- ISA needs ratification of its framework agreement by 15 member countries to be recognised as intergovernmental and multilateral agency under the United Nations charter.
- The first 15 countries who ratified the agreement would then be founding members of ISA.
- The framework agreement was opened for signatures in the 22nd session of the UN Climate Change Conference held at Marrakech, Morocco in 2016.
- It has recently become a treaty-based international intergovernmental organization with the ratification by Guinea as the 15th country.
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