International Cooperation

The Global Solar Council (GSC) is the voice of the world’s solar energy industry on the global stage, a non-profit body based in Washington D.C. and representing national, regional, and international associations as well as leading solar sector corporations. SolarPower Europe’s Director of Global Affairs Máté Heisz, is the current Chair of the GSC Board of Directors.

The Global Gateway Business Advisory Group’s mission is to strengthen cooperation between the European Commission and the European private sector on the strategy and implementation of the Global Gateway. The Global Gateway is the EU’s strategy for narrowing the global investment gap, supporting global economic recovery, and accompanying the twin green and digital transitions beyond European borders. SolarPower Europe has taken up the role of secretariat for the Climate & Energy sub-group.

The MED-GEM Network, supporting Green Electrons and Molecules’ (GEM) development in the Southern Mediterranean Neighbourhood, is a regional network, financed by the European Commission, that aims at convening dialogue and collaborative action between key energy stakeholders to foster growth of the GEM industry at regional level. The Industry Advisory Board (IAB), provides professional advice to policy makers according to industry requirements and interests, policies and market developments.

The Global Renewables Alliance (GRA) brings together the global bodies representing the solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, renewable hydrogen and long duration energy storage industries to call for increased ambition and accelerated uptake of renewable energy with one voice. The Global Solar Council, currently chaired by SolarPower Europe, is a founding member of the GRA.

This workstream under the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), coordinated by the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), supports countries in developing resilient supply chain capacity and fostering linkages among global trading partners.

The IRENA Coalition for Action is a global network fostering discussions, actions, knowledge sharing, and best practices to advance the global energy transition aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Coalition’s Business and Investors Group, co-chaired by the Global Solar Council and the Global Wind Energy Council, enables a dialogue between industry and governments, promotes increased investments and renewables’ share in the global energy mix.

GET.invest is a European programme which aims to mobilise investment in renewable energy, supported by the European Union, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and Austria. SolarPower Europe leverages its network to mobilise European and international solar energy companies to support GET.invest’s objectives through the organisation of informative events and provides support to associations and the Sub-Saharan African’s private sector stakeholders.