Context: Recently, the UN General Assembly has conferred Observer Status to the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
Expected benefits of granting observer Status to ISA

• The granting of Observer Status to ISA in the General Assembly would help provide for regular and well-defined cooperation between the Alliance and the United Nations that would benefit global energy growth and development.
• It would help ISA to expand its network through setting up a trans-national grid -- One Sun One Work One Grid (OSOWOG).

About International Solar Alliance (ISA)

• The ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France to mobilise efforts against climate change through the deployment of solar energy solutions. 
• It was presented by the leaders of the two countries at the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris in 2015.
• ISA is the nodal agency for implementing One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG), which seeks to transfer solar power generated in one region to feed the electricity demands of others.
• The Headquarters is in India with its Interim Secretariat being set up in Gurugram.
• The Assembly is the apex decision-making body of the ISA. It meets annually at the Ministerial level at the seat of the ISA.
• Membership: A total of 80 countries have signed and ratified the ISA Framework Agreement and 101 countries have only signed the agreement.
• United States of America has become the 101st member country to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

Solar Energy Initiatives of India

• National Solar Mission (a part of National Action Plan on Climate Change): To establish India as a global leader in solar energy, by creating the policy conditions for its diffusion across the country as quickly as possible.
• INDC’s target: It targets installing 100 GW grid-connected solar power plants by the year 2022.
• This is in line with India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) target to achieve about 40% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel based energy resources and to reduce the emission intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35% from 2005 level by 2030.

International Solar Alliance (ISA) and One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG)

• Government Schemes: Such as Solar Park Scheme, Canal bank & Canal top Scheme, Bundling Scheme, Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Scheme etc.
• First Green Hydrogen Mobility project: National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) Renewable Energy Ltd (REL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Union Territory of Ladakh to set up the country’s first Green Hydrogen Mobility project.
• Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water using renewable energy (like Solar, Wind) and has a lower carbon footprint.