India-Australia Rooftop Solar Training Academy Graduates First Cohort of Solar Technicians

The India-Australia Rooftop Solar Training Academy at the Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar, has completed their first cohort of technicians training on July, 2026, marking a milestone in the India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership announced by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Anthony Albanese in November 2024.

Supported by ReNew and Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, 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 programme 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.

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 programme 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.”