India Achieves Historic Milestone of 100 GW Solar Power Capacity

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

In News

• India has reached a significant milestone in its renewable energy journey by surpassing 100 gigawatts (GW) of installed solar power capacity.

Growth and Achievements

• India’s solar power capacity increased 35 times over the past decade, rising from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 100 GW in 2025.
• As of January 31, 2025, India’s total installed solar capacity stands at 100.33 GW, with 84.10 GW under implementation and 47.49 GW under tendering.
• The rooftop solar sector saw remarkable growth, with 4.59 GW of new capacity installed in 2024, reflecting a 53% increase compared to 2023.
• Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh are among the top-performing states contributing significantly to utility-scale solar installations.
• India’s solar manufacturing capacity surged from 2 GW in 2014 to 60 GW in 2024, positioning the country as a global leader in solar module production, with an ambitious target of 100 GW by 2030.

Significance of Solar Energy for India

• Energy Security: Solar energy helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels and imports, making India more self-reliant in power generation.
• Environmental Benefits: Solar power is a clean and sustainable energy source, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.
• Economic Growth: The solar industry has created millions of jobs in installation, maintenance, and manufacturing, boosting employment opportunities.
• Cost-Effectiveness: The falling costs of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels have made solar power an affordable alternative to conventional energy sources.
• Rural Electrification: Solar power provides an effective solution for electrifying remote and off-grid areas, improving the quality of life for millions of Indians.

Key Government Initiatives to Promote Solar Energy

• National Solar Mission (NSM): Launched in 2010, this mission aims to achieve 280 GW of installed solar capacity by 2030.
• PM SuryaGhar Muft Bijli Yojana: A transformative scheme making rooftop solar a household reality, empowering homes with clean energy.
• PM-KUSUM Scheme: Designed to support farmers by promoting solar irrigation pumps and grid-connected renewable energy solutions.
• Solar Parks Scheme: Facilitates the development of large-scale solar parks to boost capacity expansion.
• Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: Encourages domestic manufacturing of solar photovoltaic modules, reducing reliance on imports.
• Net Metering Policy: Allows residential and commercial consumers to generate their own solar power and sell surplus electricity to the grid.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA): A global initiative led by India to promote solar energy cooperation among solar-rich countries.

Challenges and the Way Ahead

• Land Acquisition: Availability of land for large-scale solar projects remains a constraint.
• Grid Integration: Ensuring stability and efficiency while integrating intermittent solar energy into the power grid.
• Financial Constraints: Investment in infrastructure and technological advancements is needed to sustain long-term growth.
• Storage Solutions: Development of cost-effective energy storage solutions is crucial for ensuring a stable power supply.

Source: PIB