In a major step forward for bilateral clean energy cooperation, the inaugural batch of technicians has started instruction at the newly operationalized India-Australia Rooftop Solar Training Academy, located at Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) in Gandhinagar.

The development represents a critical milestone under the India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership, which was originally unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in November 2024.

According to a joint media statement released on Tuesday by ReNew and the Australian Government, the facility receives backing from Australia's Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water alongside ReNew, a prominent Indian renewable energy producer.

The facility was established to cultivate an inclusive, highly trained workforce capable of sustaining India’s fast-growing rooftop solar market.

Functioning through a hub-and-spoke operational structure, the institution aims to instruct 2,000 rooftop solar technicians and support personnel during its initial two years of operation, placing specific emphasis on recruiting women and youth into green energy careers.

Leveraging Australia's technical know-how in vocational education and rooftop solar integration, the training center is designed to reinforce India's flagship PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana by building the skilled labor force required to drive nationwide solar adoption.

As part of the collaboration, ReNew contributes operational oversight, domain expertise, curriculum guidance, and staffing to guarantee that training remains synchronized with commercial standards.

Simultaneously, the Australian Government is assisting in crafting a specialized curriculum benchmarked against Australian standards, which is being trialed at the academy.

The inaugural event brought together officials representing the Australian Government, ReNew, PDEU, and the project's executing partner, the Skills Council for Green Jobs.

PDEU will function as the main central hub for the academy, conducting classes alongside the Skills Council for Green Jobs.

Speaking on the occasion, Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green stated: "Our Prime Ministers agreed in 2024 that we should jointly deliver a new solar rooftop academy. Today we are fulfilling their decision, and delivering on that promise. I underline Australia's seriousness in committing to more in the Australia-India corridor, as we did in the context of PM Modi's recent visit to Australia, and delivering on those commitments. I also take this opportunity to wish the first cohort of trainees well in their studies, and for their futures."

Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Co-founder and Chairperson of Sustainability at ReNew, highlighted the human capital dimension of the energy transition, stating: "India's clean energy transition will be driven not only by technology and investment, but also by a skilled workforce. The India-Australia Rooftop Solar Training Academy is an important step towards building that talent pipeline. ReNew is proud to support this initiative, which will equip young people and women with industry-relevant skills for the growing rooftop solar sector while contributing to India's PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and the broader India-Australia renewable energy partnership."

Reflecting on the university's institutional path, Professor Sundar Manoharan, Director General of Pandit Deendayal Energy University, remarked: "In advocating the energy transition towards net-zero compliance, PDEU has traversed a remarkable journey--from establishing a 1 MW solar power plant to setting up a 45 MW Solar PV manufacturing line, integrating rooftop solar energy storage solutions, and launching the Rooftop Solar Training Academy. This milestone reflects PDEU's unwavering commitment to advancing the Hon'ble Prime Minister's shared vision of accelerating clean energy adoption, building a skilled green workforce, and fostering sustainable development."

The official announcement pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart commended the advancement of the India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership—including the establishment and rollout of the academy—during Modi's visit to Australia on July 9.

The press release concluded that the academy serves as a tangible example of expanding renewable energy ties between the two nations, furthering their mutual commitment to speeding up the global transition to clean energy while unlocking new economic prospects for local communities and workers.

Source: ANI