India to form solar alliance at COP21

India has announced plans to launch an alliance between solar-rich countries at COP21 in Paris in December.

The country seeks to secure better finance and technological support from investors in the growing renewable energy market with the bloc.

"Our goal is to make solar energy an integral part of our life and reach it to the most unconnected villages and communities," Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pictured, said while announcing the move to launch the alliance.

He was speaking at the third India-Africa Forum Summit. He also invited the African countries to join the alliance.

It is expected that as many as 107 sunshine-rich countries will join the alliance, most of which receive 300 days of good sunshine in a year.

Modi said, "We are each making enormous efforts with our modest resources to combat climate change.

“For India, 175 gigawatts of additional renewable energy capacity by 2022 and reduction in emission intensity by 33-35% by 2030 are just two aspects of our efforts.

“We will also deepen India-Africa partnership on clean energy, sustainable habitats, public transport and climate resilient agriculture.

"But, it is also true that the excess of few cannot become the burden of many. So, when the world meets in Paris in December, we look to see a comprehensive and concrete outcome that is based on the well established principles in the UN Convention on Climate Change."

The Prime Minister went on to say, "we will all do our part for it. But, we also want to see a genuine global public partnership that makes clean energy affordable; provides finance and technology to developing countries; and the means to adapt to the impact of climate change."

President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana announced on Monday his readiness join the alliance.

"It is unacceptable and indeed a shame that many of the countries with the highest utilisation of solar power are located in temperate climates that have a relatively much lower level of insolation than India and Africa,” the president said  at the third India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi, India. .