India’s Solar Momentum

India’s Solar Momentum

 

 

India’s rapid solar expansion has positioned the country as a global clean-energy leader. Solar capacity has grown from 3 GW (2014) to 129 GW (2025), helping push non-fossil power beyond 50% of India’s total installed electricity capacity. Large-scale deployment, strong policy architecture, and international cooperation continue to drive this transformation.

 

1. India’s Solar Growth Story

• Solar capacity reached 129 GW in 2025, contributing significantly to India’s total 259 GW non-fossil capacity.
• Rooftop solar adoption under PM Surya Ghar has crossed 9 lakh households, adding 7 GW and releasing subsidies worth ₹13,464.6 crore.
• India has set up 55 solar parks with nearly 40 GW sanctioned across 13 states.
• Solar installations have expanded more than 40-fold in a decade, making solar the largest contributor to India’s renewable mix.

 

2. Global Standing

According to IRENA 2025 data, India ranks:

• 3rd in solar energy
• 4th in wind energy
• 4th in overall renewable energy capacity

India’s leadership has reinforced its influence in global clean-energy markets and value chains.

 

3. Policy Framework: Panchamrit Roadmap

India’s commitments from COP26 (Glasgow, 2021) guide the current energy transition:

1. 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030
2. 50% electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030
3. Reduce emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030
4. 45% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030
5. Net-zero emissions by 2070

These targets anchor India’s renewable energy strategy and investment priorities.

 

4. Key Government Initiatives Driving Solar Expansion
5. PM Surya Ghar

• Launched in Feb 2024 with an outlay of ₹75,021 crore.
• Aims for 1 crore rooftop-solar households providing up to 300 units of free electricity monthly.
• Strong progress with nearly 24 lakh installations already completed.

1. National Solar Mission (2010)

• Flagship programme enabling exponential growth in solar deployment.
• Current portfolio includes:
  • 72 GW ground-mounted plants
  • 42 GW rooftop solar
  • 32 GW hybrid projects
  • 45 GW off-grid systems

1. PLI Scheme for High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules

• Total outlay: ₹24,000 crore.
• Targets Giga-scale domestic manufacturing.
• Has attracted ₹52,900 crore investment and generated 44,400 jobs (as of Sep 2025).
• Encourages local value-addition and technological upgrading.

1. PM-KUSUM Scheme

• Promotes solarisation in agriculture.
• Achievements (as of Oct 2025):
  • 9 lakh+ standalone pumps
  • 10,535 solarized grid-connected pumps
  • 74 lakh+ Feeder-Level Solarization pumps
• Extended till March 2026, with higher subsidies for farmers in remote areas.

1. Solar Parks and Ultra-Mega Projects

• 55 approved parks, nearly 40 GW
• 14,922 MW already installed; remainder under development.
• Scheme extended till March 2029.

 

5. India’s Leadership in Global Solar Diplomacy

International Solar Alliance (ISA)

• India co-founded ISA with France; HQ in Gurugram.
• ISA’s 8th Assembly (New Delhi, 2025) hosted 550+ delegates from 125+ countries.
• Focus areas include:
  • Catalytic Finance Hub
  • Global Capability & Digitisation Centre
  • Regional & Country Engagement
  • Technology Roadmap & Policy
• Promotes solar deployment, finance access, and inclusive energy transition.

OSOWOG (One Sun, One World, One Grid)

• Vision for a global interconnected renewable energy grid.
• Enables solar-rich regions to supply clean power across borders.

Global Recognition

• The International Energy Agency calls India “a major driving force in global energy trends.”
• G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration recognised India’s LiFE vision and climate leadership.

 

6. Overall Significance

India’s solar momentum reflects a successful blend of policy direction, technology adoption, manufacturing expansion, and international cooperation. Solar energy now anchors India’s long-term strategy for:

• Energy security
• Low-carbon economic growth
• Domestic manufacturing strength
• Climate resilience
• Inclusive development (farmers, women, villages, small islands)

India’s progress demonstrates how renewable energy can become both a national development tool and a global climate solution.

 

 

 

 

India’s Solar Momentum – Summary for Learners

 

India’s solar expansion has transformed the national energy landscape. Installed solar capacity has risen from 3 GW in 2014 to 129 GW in 2025, pushing non-fossil capacity beyond 50% of India’s total electricity base. Strong policy support, domestic manufacturing, rooftop schemes, agricultural solarisation, and global solar cooperation together drive this clean-energy shift.

 

1. India’s solar capacity touched 129 GW in 2025, significantly contributing to the 259 GW non-fossil capacity, which now accounts for more than half of India’s total installed electricity capacity.

 

2. Under PM Surya Ghar, 23.9 lakh households have adopted rooftop solar, contributing 7 GW of capacity and receiving ₹13,464.6 crore in subsidies, demonstrating rapid residential-level clean-energy deployment.

 

3. India has approved 55 solar parks across 13 states with nearly 40 GW sanctioned capacity, providing shared infrastructure for large-scale solar power generation.

 

4. Over the last decade, solar capacity has grown more than 40-fold, making solar the largest contributor among all renewable energy sources in India.

 

5. India ranks 3rd globally in solar energy capacity, 4th in wind energy, and 4th in total renewable energy capacity according to IRENA’s 2025 statistics.

 

6. The Panchamrit commitments guide India’s energy transition: 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030, 50% installed capacity from non-fossil sources, and net-zero emissions by 2070.

 

7. The National Solar Mission has facilitated exponential growth in solar power through ground-mounted plants (98.72 GW), rooftop systems (22.42 GW), hybrid projects (3.32 GW), and off-grid systems (5.45 GW).

 

8. The PLI Scheme for high-efficiency solar PV modules, with an outlay of ₹24,000 crore, has attracted ₹52,900 crore investment and created more than 44,000 jobs.

 

9. PM-KUSUM has enabled agricultural solarisation, installing over 9 lakh standalone solar pumps and solarising thousands of grid-connected pumps, benefiting farmers across remote regions.

 

10. Solar park development has already installed 14,922 MW of operational capacity, with the remainder under implementation and the scheme extended till March 2029.

 

11. India leads global solar diplomacy through the International Solar Alliance (ISA), hosting its 8th Assembly with delegates from 125+ countries and advancing global solar adoption.

 

12. The OSOWOG vision aims to interconnect global renewable energy grids, allowing solar-rich regions to supply clean power across borders.

 

13. India’s climate leadership has been acknowledged by the G20 and IEA, recognising its pivotal role in shaping global energy trends and promoting sustainable lifestyles.

 

14. Rapid solar growth strengthens India’s energy security, reduces import dependence, and promotes indigenous manufacturing capability.

 

15. Solar energy serves as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth, inclusive development, job creation, and long-term climate resilience.

 

 

 

 

MCQs

 

1. India’s solar capacity in 2025 stands closest to:
2. 89 GW
3. 102 GW
4. 129 GW
5. 150 GW

 

2. India’s non-fossil electricity capacity crossed 50% primarily due to:
3. Thermal power
4. Solar power
5. Nuclear power
6. Diesel plants

 

3. PM Surya Ghar offers how many units of free electricity monthly?
4. 100
5. 200
6. 300
7. 400

 

4. Rooftop solar installations under PM Surya Ghar added:
5. 3 GW
6. 5 GW
7. 7 GW
8. 9 GW

 

5. Approved solar parks across India number:
6. 25
7. 40
8. 55
9. 70

 

6. According to IRENA 2025, India ranks 3rd globally in:
7. Wind energy
8. Solar energy
9. Hydro power
10. Biomass energy

 

7. The net-zero target year under Panchamrit is:
8. 2035
9. 2047
10. 2050
11. 2070

 

8. Giga-scale solar PV manufacturing is promoted under:
9. PM-KUSUM
10. R-APDRP
11. PLI Scheme
12. UDAY

 

9. PM-KUSUM Component B focuses on:
10. Solar parks
11. Standalone solar pumps
12. Rooftop systems
13. Hybrid plants

 

10. National Solar Mission was launched in:
11. 2008
12. 2010
13. 2012
14. 2015

 

11. OSOWOG is aimed at creating:
12. A global biofuel market
13. A fossil-fuel sharing grid
14. A transnational renewable-energy grid
15. A nuclear partnership network

 

12. Solar park scheme is extended till:
13. 2026
14. 2027
15. 2029
16. 2031

 

13. ISA headquarters is located in:
14. Paris
15. New Delhi
16. Gurugram
17. Bengaluru

 

14. Total investment attracted under PLI Solar PV is:
15. ₹20,000 crore
16. ₹35,000 crore
17. ₹52,900 crore
18. ₹80,000 crore

 

15. Households covered under PM Surya Ghar by 2025 are approx.:
16. 10 lakh
17. 15 lakh
18. 20 lakh
19. 23.9 lakh