India Solar Capacity: A Growing Solar Market
India’s solar energy capacity reached an impressive 123.45 GW by the end of September 2024, a milestone confirmed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). This achievement underscores India’s commitment to expanding its renewable energy sector and reducing its carbon footprint. The official report highlights the substantial contribution of solar energy to India’s total installed renewable energy capacity of 234.51 GW. This growth positions India as the fifth-largest country globally in terms of solar capacity.
The breakdown of the solar capacity is as follows: 81.26 GW is from ground-mounted solar projects, 15.75 GW from installations in solar parks, 8.21 GW from solar rooftop projects, and 18.23 GW from off-grid and decentralized solar applications. This diversified approach demonstrates India’s strategic focus on scaling its solar infrastructure across various platforms. India’s solar sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, solidifying its position as one of the fastest-growing solar markets globally. This rapid expansion is driven by proactive government policies and initiatives promoting renewable energy.
India’s Commitment to Expanding India Solar Capacity
The MNRE report also details India’s progress in expanding its overall renewable energy capacity. As of September 2024, this capacity reached 234.51 GW, including 51.77 GW from wind energy, 10.41 GW from bioenergy, 4.83 GW from small hydro projects, and 44.05 GW from large hydro projects. This diverse energy mix reflects India’s comprehensive approach to energy security and sustainability. More recent reports suggest India’s renewable energy capacity has continued to grow, reaching 223.6 GW by April 2025, as highlighted by PVKnowhow.
Despite this impressive growth, challenges remain in meeting ambitious renewable energy targets. While India added a stunning 23.83 GW of solar capacity in FY 2024-25 (PVKnowhow), reaching its target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 requires sustained and accelerated growth. Projections by PVKnowhow indicate a potential addition of 85-90 GW of solar capacity by FY27. The government is actively working to address these challenges through new policies and incentives designed to attract investment in the renewable energy sector.
India Solar Capacity and Sustainability
The MNRE report emphasizes the vital role of solar energy in achieving India’s decarbonization goals. Solar energy represents a significant portion of India’s non-fossil fuel-based installed power capacity, underscoring its importance in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
The growth of India’s solar energy sector is crucial for the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Expanding solar capacity not only reduces India’s carbon footprint but also enhances energy security by diversifying the energy mix. India’s achievement of 123.45 GW of installed solar capacity by September 2024 is a significant step in its renewable energy journey. The continued focus on solar energy will be a key driver in India’s decarbonization efforts and its commitment to a sustainable future.
