India has shown remarkable progress in the renewable energy sector, especially in solar power. By the end of March 2025, the country had installed a total of 105,646.49 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity. This figure means that solar energy now accounts for more than 61.29% of India’s total renewable energy capacity, excluding large hydroelectric projects. The steady increase in solar installations is a result of falling solar panel prices, technological improvements, strong government policies, and growing public awareness of clean energy benefits.
During the financial year 2024–25, India added 23,832.89 MW of new solar capacity. This addition alone makes up around 83% of the total renewable energy capacity installed in the same period. In March 2025 alone, the country installed 3.08 gigawatts (GW) of solar power, which is a 29 percent increase compared to March 2024. In March 2024, the country’s solar PV capacity stood at 81.81 GW, and within just one year, it increased by over 23.83 GW. This rapid growth shows India’s strong push toward a clean and sustainable energy future.
A major reason behind this momentum is the government’s continued support for domestic solar manufacturing. Important policies such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) have helped maintain quality and reliability in the solar sector. The ALMM policy was reinstated on April 1, 2024, requiring all government-linked solar projects to use certified modules. This is expected to further boost confidence in the technology. Starting from June 1, 2026, the ALMM will also apply to solar PV cells, ensuring higher efficiency and performance standards.
As of March 2025, India’s total renewable energy capacity, excluding large hydro, has reached 172.368 GW. Solar and wind energy combined contributes 155.684 GW, making up more than 90 percent of the country’s total renewable mix. Among solar installations, ground-mounted solar projects are the largest contributor with 81,011.66 MW. Hybrid systems, which combine solar and wind energy, have reached a total of 2.87 GW. Rooftop solar systems are also gaining traction and now stand at 17.017 GW. These rooftop systems are popular among households, commercial buildings, and industries, mainly because they help reduce electricity costs and improve energy independence.
Off-grid solar applications are also bringing positive change in rural and remote areas. Solar lanterns, solar pumps for agriculture, and microgrids are being used in places where traditional electricity supply is unavailable. These systems now have a combined capacity of 4.742 GW. They are helping reduce the use of diesel generators, which are not only costly but also harmful to the environment.
Despite these achievements, India still faces several challenges. One major concern is the availability of land for building large-scale solar parks. Another challenge is integrating large volumes of solar energy into the national power grid without causing instability. To address these issues, investment in better infrastructure, advanced technologies, and domestic manufacturing will be necessary. Continued government support and private sector involvement will also be crucial.
Crossing 100 GW in solar capacity and 50 GW in wind power capacity places India among the leading nations in clean energy. Government initiatives like solar parks, rooftop solar programs, and incentives for manufacturers have played a major role in this success. With continued focus and planning, India is well-positioned to meet its renewable energy targets and become a global leader in solar power.
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