New Delhi: IIT Delhi has launched its first academic programme, “Postgraduate Diploma in Solar Systems and Management", at its Sonipat Campus in collaboration with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and INES - Institut National de l'Energie Solaire, France. The inaugural class began on September 3, 2026.

The inaugural batch has nine international fellows from eight countries. IIT Delhi’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering (DESE) is running the programme.

The PG Diploma course is a hands-on training programme in which ISA nominated fellows are part of the 1-year programme who will be trained by expert academicians and industry partners.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has sponsored the PG Diploma programme.

While speaking about the programme, Prof. Ramesh Narayanan, Head, Department of Energy Science and Engineering (DESE), IIT Delhi, said, “With this initiative, IIT Delhi has moved to the global forefront of energy education and management. The programme will train international participants from over 120 ISA countries as trainers in Solar Technology and Application Resource Centres (STAR-C) in ISA member countries.”

Prof. Somnath Baidya Roy, Professor-in-Charge, IIT Delhi Sonipat campus, said, “This is a milestone as the first teaching programme with physical classes at the Sonipat campus of the Institute. We are planning more such programmes in the coming years.”

The ISA fellows after successful completion of the PG Diploma programmes will have a one-month internship in Europe on applied solar technologies after which they will be assigned to Solar Technology Application Resource Centres (STAR-C) in their respective home countries.

STAR-C equips ISA Member Countries with the skills, infrastructure, and innovation ecosystem needed to accelerate solar deployment, strengthen institutions, create green jobs, and drive sustainable economic growth.

The PG Diploma programme is result of a Framework for Action (FFA) formalised between IIT Delhi and the ISA earlier this year to strengthen cooperation in advancing renewable energy, with a strong focus on capacity building, academic collaboration, and human resource development across ISA Member Countries.