India’s Solar Capacity Crosses 174.5 GW As October Additions Reach 3.5 GW In 2026

India’s solar power sector continued its strong expansion in 2026, with total installed solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity reaching approximately 174.5 GW by the end of October, according to the latest figures cited from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The country added around 3,495.59 MW of solar capacity during October, taking cumulative additions in the first ten months of 2026 to nearly 38.737 GW.

Ground-mounted solar projects remained the largest contributor, accounting for 127.33 GW of installed capacity. Grid-connected rooftop solar installations reached 34.97 GW, while the solar component of hybrid projects stood at 5.62 GW. Off-grid solar capacity contributed another 6.63 GW. The growing rooftop segment reflects increasing adoption of distributed solar generation across residential, commercial and industrial consumers. There is a year-over-year growth of 34.35% from October 2026 to the same period over 2025.

India’s renewable energy installed capacity, excluding large hydro, also reached 303.46 GW, highlighting the expanding contribution of clean energy to the country’s electricity mix. The addition of nearly 38.74 GW of solar capacity in ten months indicates strong project execution and sustained investment from developers, manufacturers and financial institutions.

Domestic manufacturing is also playing an increasingly important role in supporting this expansion. MNRE’s updated Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-I covered approximately 230 GW of solar module manufacturing capacity by September 2026, while ALMM List-II included around 37 GW of solar cell manufacturing capacity. These developments are expected to strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce dependence on imported components.

However, the increasing focus on domestic sourcing could create short-term procurement challenges for developers, particularly regarding module prices, availability and project timelines. MNRE’s December 31, 2026, deadline for certain net-metering and open-access renewable energy projects under the ALMM List-II framework could further influence procurement decisions and commissioning schedules.

From a market perspective, India’s solar growth is creating opportunities across module manufacturing, cell production, inverters, battery storage and transmission infrastructure. However, rising renewable capacity is also increasing pressure on grid connectivity, power evacuation and storage solutions. Delays in transmission infrastructure, land acquisition and financing could affect future project execution.

With solar additions approaching 39 GW in ten months, India remains on a strong growth trajectory. Maintaining this momentum will require stable policies, competitive equipment pricing, stronger domestic manufacturing and faster infrastructure development to support the country’s long-term renewable energy ambitions.