Dr. Ajay Mathur
Director General, International Solar Alliance
Ph.D. in Energy Engineering
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Dr. Ajay Mathur is a globally recognized leader in renewable energy and climate change mitigation. As the Director General of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), he has been at the forefront of advancing solar energy adoption worldwide.
He holds a Ph.D. in Energy Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and has served in prestigious roles including Director General of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), and as head of India’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) from 2006 to 2016.
☀️ Key Solar Contributions
- Leadership at ISA:
Oversees a coalition of 103 member countries, working to mobilize $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030. Under his leadership, ISA has become a global player in solar advocacy and implementation. - Scaling Solar Projects:
Facilitated agreements with over 20 countries for solar demonstration projects and solar parks totaling 3 GW. - Policy Innovation at BEE:
Introduced energy efficiency policies like the Energy Conservation Building Code, appliance star labeling, and the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) program. - Global Solar Advocate:
Played a key role at COP21 in building consensus for the Paris Agreement, advocating solar energy as central to climate action. - Focus on Storage Integration:
Strongly supports integrating storage with solar to enable round-the-clock electricity access globally.
Awards and Recognitions
- Visionary Leadership Award: Honored by SEEM for energy efficiency contributions.
- Global Climate Negotiator: India’s spokesperson at COP21 for the Paris Agreement.
- Founder – SolarX Startup Challenge: Launched to foster innovations like solar pumps and mini-grids for off-grid communities.
Inspiration and Motivation
Dr. Mathur believes solar power is essential for a sustainable future. Speaking at ISA’s special assembly in 2021, he said:
“I am honored to lead ISA at this critical juncture when we have an opportunity to transition to a safer, sustainable, equitable, and more prosperous future through solar energy.”
His passion for addressing energy poverty and climate change fuels his mission to make affordable electricity accessible globally.
Thoughts on India’s Solar Future
Dr. Mathur envisions India as a global renewable energy leader. He emphasizes decentralized solar solutions like rooftop panels and mini-grids and expects breakthroughs in battery storage to make 24/7 solar electricity a reality by 2025.
“India has shown how solar can grow exponentially while addressing both current demands and future sustainability goals.” – Dr. Ajay Mathur
⭐ Key Achievements
- ISA Leadership: Scaled global partnerships, facilitated 3 GW solar projects.
- Energy Efficiency Champion: Revolutionized India’s policies through BEE.
- Global Impact: Key contributor to the Paris Agreement (COP21).
- Innovation Catalyst: Launched SolarX to empower solar tech startups.
✅ Key Takeaways
- Global Solar Leadership: ISA and global forums under his leadership.
- Policy Expertise: Deep impact on India’s energy policy framework.
- Champion of Innovation: Advocates integrating solar with storage for reliability.
Conclusion
Dr. Ajay Mathur’s contributions have made solar energy a cornerstone of global climate solutions. His leadership at ISA continues to guide the clean energy revolution and ensure that solar power becomes a tool for equity, sustainability, and prosperity.
“The energy transition isn’t optional—it’s inevitable.”
— Dr. Ajay Mathur