Context: India’s solar module manufacturing has increased to more than twice since last year, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy. Solar module manufacturing has increased 128.6% on a year-over-year basis to 144 gigawatts (GW) in 2025. It stood at 63 GW in 2024. This implies that India added 81 GW-worth of capacity in the previous year.
Government initiatives such as PM-Surya Ghar, solar parks, and international collaborations through the International Solar Alliance (ISA) have positioned India as the third-largest solar power producer worldwide.
🌞 Solar Energy in India: Growth, Achievements, and Future Pathways
📌 Current Status
Installed Capacity: India’s solar installed capacity crossed 130 GW in November 2025, up from 94 GW in 2024, marking a 41% growth in one year.
Manufacturing Expansion: Solar module manufacturing more than doubled in 2025, rising from 63 GW in 2024 to 144 GW in 2025, a 128.6% increase.
Global Ranking: India overtook Germany in 2024 to become the third-largest generator of wind and solar power, producing over 108,494 GWh of solar electricity, surpassing Japan.
🏛️ Government Initiatives
PM-Surya Ghar: Over 8.5 lakh rooftop installations completed by January 2025, aiming to power 10 million households with solar energy.
Solar Parks & Ultra-Mega Projects: Over 3 GW commissioned in 2025 under the Solar Parks scheme.
International Solar Alliance (ISA): India hosted the 8th ISA Assembly in October 2025, strengthening global cooperation on solar technology and finance.
Policy Push: India achieved 100 GW solar capacity milestone in February 2025, five years ahead of its COP26 commitment.
📊 Key Achievements: India’s Solar Capacity
| Year | Installed Solar Capacity | Milestone |
| 2014 | ~9 GW | Early stage |
| 2024 | 94 GW | Rapid growth |
| 2025 | 130 GW | 41% YoY growth |
| 2025 | 144 GW (manufacturing) | Doubling of module capacity |
| 2030 (Target) | 500 GW (non-fossil) | COP26 commitment |
☀️ India’s Solar Energy: Current Status (Jan 2026)
India achieved a major milestone in 2025 by reaching 50% non-fossil fuel capacity five years ahead of the 2030 target.
| Metric | Capacity / Achievement (as of Dec 2025/Jan 2026) |
| Cumulative Solar Capacity | 132.85 GW (Crossed 100 GW mark in Jan 2025) |
| Total Non-Fossil Capacity | 263 GW (Includes Solar, Wind, Hydro, and Nuclear) |
| Annual Addition (2025) | ~35 GW (Solar alone; record-breaking year) |
| Global Ranking | 3rd Largest solar producer (surpassing Japan in 2025) |
| Largest Solar State | Rajasthan (~36 GW), followed by Gujarat and Maharashtra |
🏭 Solar Manufacturing & Industry Growth
Through the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, India has moved from an importer to a dominant manufacturer.
| Manufacturing Category | Annual Capacity (Jan 2026) | 2024 Comparison |
| Solar PV Modules | 144 GW | 128.6% increase from 63 GW in 2024 |
| Solar Cells | 24 GW | Rapidly scaling under ALMM List-II |
| Solar Wafers | ~5.3 GW | Target of 50 GW+ by 2028 |
| Top State for Mfg | Gujarat | Accounts for 41.6% of module production |
🏠 Major Solar Schemes & Implementation
| Scheme | Target | Current Achievement (Jan 2026) |
| PM Surya Ghar | 1 Crore (10 Million) Homes | 2.4 Million households solarized; 7 GW added. |
| PM-KUSUM | 34.8 GW (Solar for Farmers) | 10.2 GW installed; 20 Lakh+ solar pumps. |
| Solar Parks | 40 GW Approved | 55 Solar Parks sanctioned across 13 states. |
🎯 Roadmap to 2030 (The “Panchamrit” Goal)
| Target Year | Milestone |
| 2026-27 | Target of 1 Crore households under PM Surya Ghar. |
| 2030 | 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity (Solar to be ~280-300 GW). |
| 2070 | Net Zero Emissions for the nation. |
🌍 Significance
Energy Security: Solar is India’s most secure energy source, abundantly available across regions.
Climate Goals: India achieved 50% renewable share of total installed capacity (484 GW) by 2025, five years ahead of target.
Economic Impact: Expansion of solar manufacturing reduces import dependence, creates jobs, and boosts domestic industry.
Global Leadership: India is now a founding leader of ISA, influencing solar deployment across 125+ nations.
⚠️ Challenges Ahead
Land Acquisition: Large-scale solar parks face land hurdles, prompting PSUs to form joint ventures with states.
Grid Integration: Need for stronger payment security and wholesale market reforms to integrate solar efficiently.
Rooftop Adoption: Despite potential of 637 GW residential rooftop capacity, adoption rates remain low (national willingness ~5%).
Storage & Transmission: Scaling battery storage and transmission infrastructure is critical for balancing intermittent solar supply.
✨ Conclusion
India’s solar journey reflects a bold leap toward a net-zero future, with achievements like 100 GW solar capacity, 144 GW manufacturing, and global leadership through ISA. While challenges in land, grid integration, and rooftop adoption remain, India’s trajectory shows it is well on course to meet its 500 GW renewable energy target by 2030 and long-term vision of 1,800 GW green energy by 2047.
Source: The Hindu