Asia-Pacific Solar Leaders Unite for Equity in Colombo Meeting
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) launched its seventh Asia-Pacific Regional Committee meeting in Colombo this week, with Sri Lanka leading discussions on Asia-Pacific Solar Equity. Over 20 countries gathered to address the pressing challenge of making solar energy universally accessible through enhanced regional collaboration.
Why the Colombo Summit Marks a Turning Point
While solar adoption grew 38% since 2020, rural electrification gaps persist. The summit highlighted how cross-border knowledge sharing could reduce project costs by 15% – particularly vital for island nations facing costly grid expansion challenges.
Storage Solutions Emerge as Key Discussion
With panels becoming affordable, attention shifted to innovative storage solutions like high-voltage C&I battery systems. The ISA proposed pooled procurement to lower costs for member states, mirroring successful models in commercial solar deployments.
Balancing Economics and Accessibility
Sri Lanka’s new net metering policy demonstrates how policy innovation accelerates adoption, enabling businesses to offset 100% of electricity costs – similar to industrial rooftop solar sustainability models proving successful globally.
Local Manufacturing vs Global Supply Chains
While Chinese panels dominate, Vietnam’s new module factory shows local production viability. Delegates debated whether import tariffs help or hinder grid parity goals, highlighting the sector’s complex balancing act.
As discussions concluded, the focus remained clear: bridging the energy divide between urban tech hubs and rural communities. The summit’s outcomes will shape solar policies across the region for years to come.
