28 July 2026
ReNew
Gandhinagar, India, July 28, 2026:
The
first cohort of technicians completed their training at the India-Australia
Rooftop Solar Training Academy at the Pandit Deendayal Energy University,
Gandhinagar, this month, marking a significant milestone in the India-Australia
Renewable Energy Partnership announced by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and
Anthony Albanese in November 2024.
Supported
by the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water
and ReNew, India’s leading renewable energy company, the Academy will help
build a skilled and inclusive workforce to support India’s rapidly expanding
rooftop solar sector.
Operating
through a hub-and-spoke model, the Academy will train 2,000 rooftop solar
technicians and helpers during its first two years. The program places a strong
emphasis on increasing participation by women and youth in the clean energy
workforce.
Drawing
on Australia’s expertise in rooftop solar deployment and vocational training,
the Academy will support India’s flagship PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana by
strengthening the skilled workforce required to accelerate rooftop solar
adoption across the country.
The
Australian Government - through the Department of Climate Change, Energy,
Environment and Water - and ReNew are the principal contributors to the
initiative. ReNew will provide industry expertise, curriculum inputs, project
management support and workforce to ensure the training is aligned with
industry needs. The Australian Government is supporting the development of a
rooftop solar training curriculum aligned with Australian standards, which will
be piloted through the Academy.
The inaugural program
was attended by representatives from the Australian Government, ReNew, Pandit
Deendayal Energy University, and the Skills Council for Green Jobs, the
project’s implementation partner. The Pandit Deendayal Energy University will
serve as the Academy’s hub institution, delivering training in partnership with
the Skills Council for Green Jobs, India’s sector skills council for green
skilling.
Australian
High Commissioner to India, Philip
Green said: “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, Sustainability, ReNew, said: “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.”
Professor Sundar
Manoharan, Director General, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, said:
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 Ministers' shared vision of accelerating clean energy adoption, building
a skilled green workforce, and fostering sustainable development.”
Additional
background:
During
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia on 9 July 2026, the leaders
welcomed progress under the India–Australia Renewable Energy Partnership,
including the establishment and operationalisation of the India–Australia
Rooftop Solar Training Academy.
The
Academy is a practical demonstration of the growing clean energy cooperation
between Australia and India and supports both countries’ commitment to
accelerating the energy transition while creating new opportunities for workers
and communities.
About ReNew
ReNew
is a leading decarbonization solutions company listed on Nasdaq (Nasdaq: RNW,
RNWWW). ReNew’s clean energy portfolio of 20.2 GW (including 1.7 GW/6.2 GWh of
BESS) on a gross basis as of May 18, 2026, is one of the largest globally. In
addition to being a major independent power producer in India, we provide
end-to-end solutions in a just and inclusive manner in the areas of clean
energy, value-added energy offerings through digitalization, storage, and
carbon markets that are increasingly integral to addressing climate change. In
addition, ReNew has 6.4 GW of solar module and 2.5 GW of solar cell
manufacturing capacities and is expanding its solar cells manufacturing
capacity by another 4 GW, which is expected to be operational by December 2026.
For more information, visit www.renew.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X,
and Instagram.
Media
contact:
Australian High Commission:
Vartika Bassi Sethi,
8800092302; vartika.sethi@dfat.gov.au
ReNew:
pr@renew.com
