India has made remarkable progress in renewable energy, especially in solar power. By the end of June 2025, the country had installed 116,247.83 megawatts of solar photovoltaic capacity. This accounts for more than 62.97 percent of India’s total renewable energy capacity, excluding large hydroelectric projects. This growth has been supported by lower solar panel prices, better technology, strong government support, and increasing awareness about clean energy.
In just the first half of 2025, India added 18,383.11 megawatts (MW) of new solar capacity. In June alone, the country installed 5,413.55 megawatts, which was a 4.88 percent increase compared to May. Wind energy also grew, with an addition of 382.6 megawatts during the same month. These numbers show India’s ongoing commitment to sustainable energy and reducing carbon emissions.
Policies from the government have played an important role in this progress. The Production-Linked Incentive scheme and the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers policy have helped improve the quality of solar equipment. The ALMM policy, which became effective again on April 1, 2024, ensures that only certified solar modules can be used in government projects. From June 1, 2026, this rule will also apply to solar PV cells, improving the overall performance of solar systems in the country.
As of June 2025, India’s total renewable energy capacity, excluding large hydro, reached 184.62 gigawatts. Out of this, solar and wind together contributed nearly 168 gigawatts, which is over 90.96 percent of the total. Ground-mounted solar systems lead with 89.29 gigawatts installed. Rooftop solar systems have also grown to 18.84 gigawatts, becoming popular for homes, offices, and industries because of lower electricity bills and energy freedom. Solar-wind hybrid projects have reached 3.06 gigawatts.
Off-grid solar systems are helping rural areas by reducing the use of diesel generators. These include solar lanterns, solar-powered water pumps for farmers, and small solar grids. These systems now have a combined capacity of over 5.05 gigawatts and are helping reduce pollution and lower electricity costs.
However, challenges remain. Finding enough land for large solar projects is a problem, and adding more solar energy to the power grid without causing supply issues is also difficult. There is a need for more investment in grid infrastructure and new technologies.
Another concern has come from the impact of US tariffs on solar modules. Due to higher import duties by the United States, many global suppliers are now looking at India as a potential market. This has led to increased shipments of solar modules into the country, making it easier and cheaper for developers to install new capacity. This shift has given a push to India’s solar growth and is helping the country move faster toward its renewable energy goals.
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