The global voice for renewable energy

Written by Dr. Ashvini Kumar and Dr. Amit Kumar Singh Parihar

India is probably the only country in the world who had a separate dedicated administrative set-up within the Government in 1981 for renewable energy, soon after having successfully organized the ISES Congress in 1978 in New Delhi. This mechanism made available Government support to various activities pertaining to the development and promotion of renewable energy, including R&D, development of appliances, field demonstration, and commercialization. As a result, many developments took place, led by domestic companies and supported by technical and financial support under bilateral cooperations in some cases. These were largely for distributed energy applications such as flat plate solar collectors, solar water heating systems, solar cookers, solar dryers, solar cooling systems, industrial process heat applications, solar lighting products, solar PV water pumping systems, roof-top PV installations, and small capacity PV power plants.  Side by side, the development of utility-scale power through the development of wind power and small hydro projects took place.

Written by Dr. Gurleen Kaur

On March 6th, I had the absolute pleasure of organizing and moderating one of the most energizing and heartfelt events I’ve been a part of: Solar Speed Dating – Women Energizing the Future, co-hosted by the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) and the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET), to mark International Women’s Day 2025.

This wasn’t your typical webinar. Instead, it was a fast-paced, interactive space where students and early-career professionals got the chance to sit down—virtually—with some of the most inspiring women in the solar sector. We used a “speed dating” format, rotating expert speakers through small breakout rooms for intimate conversations about careers, challenges, life choices, and everything in between. The energy in each room was electric.

The future is bright, and we want YOU to be part of it! The International Solar Energy Society (ISES) is driving the transition to a 100% renewable energy future, and we need passionate individuals like you to help lead the charge.