India has officially surpassed Japan to become the world’s third-largest producer of solar panels. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), India generated 108,494 GWh of solar energy, leaving behind Japan’s 96,459 GWh.
Notably, just a decade ago, India’s solar landscape was in its infancy, with panels dotting only a few rooftops and deserts.
As of July 2025, India’s cumulative solar power capacity stood at 119.02 GW, which includes 90.09 GW from ground-mounted solar plants, 19.88 GW from grid‑connected rooftop systems, 3.06 GW from hybrid projects, and 5.09 GW from off‑grid solar installations, reflecting the country’s diverse approach to expanding renewable energy.
As part of the pledge made at COP26, the country is making efforts towards reaching the target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel electricity capacity by 2030. This commitment could be viewed as a key step in India’s clean energy transition and its broader climate goals.
India has high potential for solar power generation, as it lies on the Tropic of Cancer. The total solar sector potential of the Indian continent is 748 GW. States/ UTs like Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh have some of the highest solar potential in the country, making them key drivers of India’s clean energy growth.
In July 2025, the country’s solar power capacity had increased by 4,000%, and the total renewable energy capacity reached 227 GW.
Remarkably, Palli village in Jammu & Kashmir emerged as India’s first carbon-neutral panchayat after running entirely on solar power.
Key initiatives in solar energy
The government has launched several flagship initiatives to promote the adoption and development of solar energy across India.
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijlee Yojana is a central scheme with an outlay of ₹75,021 crores to help one crore Indian households receive up to 300 units of free electricity every month by installing rooftop solar panels.
PM-KUSUM
The ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan’ Scheme supports farmers in using solar energy instead of diesel. Farmers can get a 30% to 50% subsidy to install new solar pumps or convert old pumps to solar. They can also build solar power plants up to 2 MW on their land and earn money by selling electricity to local DISCOMs.
Solar Parks Scheme
The government launched “Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects” to build large solar power plants connected to the electricity grid, with a target of 40 GW by March 2026.
So far, 53 Solar Parks with a total capacity of about 39,323 MW have been approved in 13 states. Out of these, 18 parks (10,856 MW) are fully developed, where 10,756 MW of solar power projects are already working.
PM JANMAN
The ‘Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan’ was launched to address the development needs of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) through 11 critical interventions across nine Ministries.
In other dimensions, India stands 4th in Wind Power capacity and 3rd in Solar Power capacity, according to IRENA RE Statistics 2025.
India is moving strongly towards a green future. After surpassing 100 GW of solar power, the country is on track to reach 500 GW of clean energy by 2030 and net-zero by 2070.
India has reached a significant milestone: 50% of its installed electricity capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources, achieving this five years early against its Paris Agreement goal. Under this agreement, India committed to reducing its carbon intensity of the economy by 45% by 2030.
This highlights that development and sustainability can go hand in hand. India’s energy journey over the past decade reflects a strategic shift towards self-reliance, sustainability, and innovation.
From green hydrogen to solar rooftops, rural electrification to digital procurement, every initiative underscores India’s vision of inclusive, secure, and clean energy for all. As the nation moves forward, its balanced and forward-looking energy strategy continues to power economic growth and a sustainable future.