India’s Solar Boom: A Look at India Solar Installation of 29.5 GW in 2025
India’s solar sector has achieved a monumental milestone, installing a record-breaking 29.5 GW of new solar capacity in the first nine months of 2025. This remarkable growth, representing a massive 70% year-on-year increase from 2024, is a powerful testament to the nation’s unwavering commitment to expanding its solar infrastructure and advancing its ambitious renewable energy goals. This surge is a continuation of the impressive solar capacity growth seen in the previous fiscal year.
The upsurge was consistent throughout the year, with the installation of 9.9 GW in the first quarter, 10.3 GW in the second, and 9.3 GW in the third quarter. The strong performance in the initial months set a powerful precedent, with Q1 2025 additions laying the groundwork for this record-setting pace.
A Multi-Segment Expansion of India Solar Installation
This expansion was primarily fueled by the successful commissioning of large-scale projects. The utility-scale segment was the main driver, accounting for a substantial 18.3 GW of the total installed capacity.
The rooftop solar segment also contributed significantly, adding 7.9 GW. This area showed particularly dynamic growth, with the third quarter witnessing a stunning 51% increase in installations compared to the previous quarter. This surge was largely driven by installations across residential and commercial sectors, which contributed 2.9 GW and 3.5 GW, respectively. Industrial installations rounded out this growth by adding another 1.5 GW.
Finally, the open access segment played a crucial role, accounting for 3.3 GW of the new capacity, enabling more businesses to procure clean energy directly from generators.
State-Level Leadership and the Manufacturing Backbone of India Solar Installation
This nationwide achievement was underpinned by strong performances at the state level. The utility-scale segment saw significant contributions from states like Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat, which collectively added 12.3 GW of the total capacity. In the open access market, Karnataka led the way by adding 1 GW, followed closely by Tamil Nadu with 0.9 GW, Maharashtra with 0.8 GW, and Andhra Pradesh with 0.6 GW.
This incredible installation rate is supported by a rapidly maturing domestic manufacturing ecosystem. The growth in India’s solar module manufacturing capacity has been pivotal. This expansion covers the entire value chain, from understanding the basics of solar panel manufacturing to scaling up domestic solar cell manufacturing. For a deeper dive into the market dynamics, our comprehensive India Solar Panel Manufacturing Report offers detailed insights.
Despite this progress, developers continue to navigate challenges such as land acquisition constraints, transmission limitations, and the impacts of extreme weather. However, supportive policy incentives and the increasing adoption of innovative technologies like solar-plus-storage projects are paving the way for sustained growth. These record-breaking solar installations reflect India’s determined efforts to transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable, and energy-independent future.
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