India’s Solar Momentum
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.
Must Know Terms :
1. PM Surya Ghar
PM Surya Ghar is a rooftop solar initiative focused on household-level clean energy adoption. By 2025, about 23.9 lakh households had installed rooftop solar systems under it, adding around 7 gigawatt of capacity. Subsidy support of ₹13,464.6 crore had been disbursed, making it one of India’s most important schemes for decentralised solarisation, consumer savings, and residential energy transition.
2. Solar Parks
Solar Parks are large, designated zones developed with shared infrastructure for utility-scale solar power generation. India has approved 55 solar parks across 13 states with nearly 40 gigawatt sanctioned capacity. About 14,922 megawatt had already become operational, while the remaining capacity was under implementation. The scheme has been extended till March 2029 to accelerate large-scale, grid-connected solar deployment nationwide.
3. Panchamrit
Panchamrit refers to India’s major climate and energy commitments announced for long-term transition. These include achieving 500 gigawatt non-fossil electricity capacity by 2030, meeting 50 percent of installed capacity from non-fossil sources, and reaching net-zero emissions by 2070. The framework guides policy direction across renewable energy, climate action, industrial transition, and long-term sustainable development planning in the country.
4. National Solar Mission
National Solar Mission is the flagship framework that drove India’s large-scale solar expansion. It supported growth across multiple segments including 98.72 gigawatt of ground-mounted plants, 22.42 gigawatt of rooftop systems, 3.32 gigawatt of hybrid projects, and 5.45 gigawatt of off-grid systems. The mission played a foundational role in making solar the largest renewable energy source in India.
5. PM-KUSUM
PM-KUSUM is an agricultural solarisation scheme aimed at expanding clean energy use in farming. It has enabled installation of more than 9 lakh standalone solar pumps and also supported solarisation of grid-connected pumps. The scheme is especially important for remote and rural regions because it reduces dependence on conventional power, improves irrigation access, and links renewable energy directly with agricultural productivity.
6. ISA
International Solar Alliance (ISA) is the global solar cooperation platform led by India to promote wider solar adoption across countries. India continues to play a central role in its functioning and hosted the 8th Assembly with delegates from more than 125 countries. ISA strengthens solar diplomacy, supports collaborative clean energy efforts, and reinforces India’s position as a leading voice in global renewable energy governance.
MCQs
1. India’s solar capacity in 2025 stands closest to:
A) 89 GW
B) 102 GW
C) 129 GW
D) 150 GW
2. India’s non-fossil electricity capacity crossed 50% primarily due to:
A) Thermal power
B) Solar power
C) Nuclear power
D) Diesel plants
3. PM Surya Ghar offers how many units of free electricity monthly?
A) 100
B) 200
C) 300
D) 400
4. Rooftop solar installations under PM Surya Ghar added:
A) 3 GW
B) 5 GW
C) 7 GW
D) 9 GW
5. Approved solar parks across India number:
A) 25
B) 40
C) 55
D) 70
6. According to IRENA 2025, India ranks 3rd globally in:
A) Wind energy
B) Solar energy
C) Hydro power
D) Biomass energy
7. The net-zero target year under Panchamrit is:
A) 2035
B) 2047
C) 2050
D) 2070
8. Giga-scale solar PV manufacturing is promoted under:
A) PM-KUSUM
B) R-APDRP
C) PLI Scheme
D) UDAY
9. PM-KUSUM Component B focuses on:
A) Solar parks
B) Standalone solar pumps
C) Rooftop systems
D) Hybrid plants
10. National Solar Mission was launched in:
A) 2008
B) 2010
C) 2012
D) 2015
11. OSOWOG is aimed at creating:
A) A global biofuel market
B) A fossil-fuel sharing grid
C) A transnational renewable-energy grid
D) A nuclear partnership network
12. Solar park scheme is extended till:
A) 2026
B) 2027
C) 2029
D) 2031
13. ISA headquarters is located in:
A) Paris
B) New Delhi
C) Gurugram
D) Bengaluru
14. Total investment attracted under PLI Solar PV is:
A) ₹20,000 crore
B) ₹35,000 crore
C) ₹52,900 crore
D) ₹80,000 crore
15. Households covered under PM Surya Ghar by 2025 are approx.:
A) 10 lakh
B) 15 lakh
C) 20 lakh
D) 23.9 lakh
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