India has made remarkable progress in expanding its renewable energy sector, with solar power emerging as the primary driver of this transformation. By the end of November 2025, the country had installed a total of 132,848.25 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity. This accounts for over 65 percent of the total renewable energy capacity in India, excluding large hydro projects, reflecting the growing importance of solar in the nation’s energy mix. The steady decline in solar panel prices, technological advancements, supportive government policies, and rising public awareness of clean energy have collectively fueled this growth.

Between January and November 2025, India added 34,983.53 MW of new solar capacity. November alone saw an addition of 2,924.43 MW, representing a 2.25 percent increase over the previous month. Wind energy also grew during this period, with 386.1 MW added in November, indicating a broader commitment to renewable energy diversification. By November 2025, the total renewable energy capacity in India, excluding large hydro projects, reached 203.606 GW. Solar and wind together contributed 186.834 GW, forming over 91 percent of the non-large hydro renewable energy mix.

Within the solar segment, ground-mounted systems remain the largest component with 100 GW installed, while rooftop solar systems have reached 23.16 GW, showing increased adoption among households, industries, and commercial establishments. Solar-wind hybrid projects, totaling 3.34 GW, are becoming more common as they improve land utilization and transmission efficiency. Off-grid solar systems, including solar lanterns, agricultural water pumps, and mini-grids, have exceeded 5.55 GW, enhancing clean power access in rural areas and replacing diesel-based generation.

Government policies have played a crucial role in driving this expansion. The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has encouraged domestic manufacturing of solar equipment, reducing reliance on imports. The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) policy, reintroduced in April 2024, mandates that government-supported projects use only certified solar modules, with plans to extend the requirement to solar PV cells from June 2026. Tax incentives have also contributed, with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on solar PV modules and wind turbine generators reduced from 12 percent to 5 percent, lowering capital costs and supporting faster deployment.

Despite the positive momentum, challenges remain. Land acquisition for large solar parks is increasingly difficult, and grid integration of variable solar power requires better transmission infrastructure and balancing technologies. Additionally, while manufacturing capacity is expanding, global trade dynamics and supply chain risks, including shifting export markets, pose challenges.

Overall, India’s renewable energy sector shows strong growth, led by solar power. Continued policy support, technology improvements, and expanding adoption across ground-mounted, rooftop, and off-grid systems will be critical to achieving the country’s 500 GW non-fossil energy target by 2030, provided remaining obstacles are effectively addressed.

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