🌍 Expansion at Scale
India is boldly advancing its clean energy ambitions. In the first half of 2025 alone, it added 22 GW of renewable capacity—comprising 18.4 GW from solar, plus 3.5 GW wind and 250 MW from bioenergy—bringing non-fossil fuel power to 50% of total installed capacity (~234 GW)
📈 Rapid Capacity Growth
- As of June 2025, India’s utility-scale solar capacity stood at 85.6 GW, with an additional 68.2 GW under development, pushing total solar capacity to around 116 GW.
Rooftop solar has also surged, exceeding 15 GW installed capacity over the past five years across residential, commercial, and institutional sectors.
🚀 Key Drivers Behind the Surge
- National targets & policies: Programs like the National Solar Mission, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme are fueling solar adoption, especially rooftop installations.
- Cost competitiveness: Solar tariffs have dropped dramatically—solar is now half as expensive as new coal-based power—making clean energy an economically attractive option
🌐 Infrastructure & Clean Energy Mix
- The Bhadla Solar Park (2,245 MW in Rajasthan) remains among the world’s largest solar farms, exemplifying India’s large-scale solar capability .
In early 2025, rising solar generation helped fossil fuel electricity output dip slightly (coal down 0.5%), with clean energy contributing 23.3% of total generation (~57.8 TWh)
⚠️ Challenges Ahead
- Over 50 GW of renewable projects are currently stranded due to regulatory delays, inadequate transmission infrastructure, and approvals backlog—nearly a quarter of India’s installed clean capacity ORF America.
- Despite strong policies, India must still scale up storage, grid upgrades, and regulatory reform to sustain growth and reliability.
📊 Snapshot Overview
Indicator | Current Status or Projection |
Utility‑scale solar | ~85.6 GW (mid‑2025) |
Total solar (incl. rooftop) | ~116 GW |
Rooftop installations | >15 GW over 5 years |
Clean energy share | ~50% of installed capacity (~234 GW total) |
Renewables additions (H1 2025) | 22 GW |
Renewable generation share | 23.3% (Jan–Apr 2025) |
✅ Bottom Line
India’s solar surge is doing more than just lowering carbon emissions—it’s reshaping the country’s energy infrastructure, powering economic growth, and steering a just energy transition toward a sustainable Bharat. Bold policy support, cost-effective technology, and rising local rooftop solar adoption are core pillars of this transformation.
