India’s Solar Capacity Crosses 171 GW As Over 35 GW Added In Nine Months of 2026

India’s solar power sector maintained its strong growth momentum in 2026, with total installed solar PV capacity crossing 171 GW by the end of September, according to the latest figures cited from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The country added around 3,011.41 MW of solar capacity during September, taking cumulative additions during the first nine months of 2026 to nearly 35.24 GW.

Ground-mounted solar continued to dominate India’s solar capacity mix, reaching 125.65 GW by September. Grid-connected rooftop solar capacity stood at 33.41 GW, while the solar component of hybrid projects accounted for 5.36 GW. Off-grid solar installations contributed another 6.63 GW. The expansion of rooftop solar is particularly significant as distributed generation becomes an increasingly important part of India’s energy transition.

The pace of deployment indicates that project execution, equipment availability and investor participation remain relatively strong. Adding more than 35 GW in nine months places India on track for another high-growth year. However, sustaining this momentum will depend on the timely availability of modules, transmission infrastructure, financing, and land, particularly for large utility-scale projects.

Domestic manufacturing policy is also becoming increasingly influential. MNRE’s updated ALMM List-I included around 228.52 GW of solar PV module manufacturing capacity by September, while ALMM List-II for solar PV cells covered approximately 37 GW of manufacturing capacity. The expansion of domestic manufacturing can improve supply-chain resilience and reduce exposure to international disruptions, although developers may face procurement and cost pressures during the transition.

MNRE’s limited window until December 31, 2026, for certain net-metering and open-access renewable energy projects under the ALMM List-II framework could influence procurement strategies and commissioning schedules.

At the same time, global logistics disruptions, currency movements, geopolitical risks and fluctuations in international module prices remain key uncertainties. Overall, India’s addition of nearly 35.24 GW in the first nine months demonstrates strong underlying demand, but maintaining this trajectory will require policy stability, efficient project execution and continued investment across the solar value chain.