India has made significant progress in renewable energy, with solar power emerging as the main driver of growth. By the end of September 2025, the country had installed 127,332.29 megawatts of solar photovoltaic capacity, accounting for over 64.57 percent of its total renewable energy portfolio, excluding large hydro projects. This progress has been supported by the continuous fall in solar panel prices, steady technological improvements, strong government policies, and growing public awareness about clean energy.

Between January and September 2025, or the first three quarters of the year, India added 29,467.57 megawatts of new solar capacity. In September alone, 4,202.16 megawatts were installed, marking a 3.41 percent increase compared to August. Wind energy also expanded during the same month, with 442.6 megawatts added. These figures show India’s strong commitment to scaling up renewable power and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Government initiatives have played a key role in this progress. The Production-Linked Incentive scheme has boosted domestic manufacturing of solar equipment, reducing import reliance. Another important step has been the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) policy, which ensures quality and reliability in solar projects. Reintroduced on April 1, 2024, the policy makes it mandatory for government projects to use only certified solar modules. From June 1, 2026, the same rule will extend to solar PV cells, further strengthening efficiency and performance standards.

As of September 2025, India’s renewable energy capacity, excluding large hydro, stood at 197.201 gigawatts. Solar and wind together contributed around 180.456 gigawatts, which is more than 91.51 percent of the total. Ground-mounted solar remains the largest contributor with 97.15 gigawatts installed, while rooftop solar has reached 21.52 gigawatts. Rooftop systems are becoming more popular among households, industries, and businesses due to cost savings and greater energy independence. Solar-wind hybrid projects have also reached 3.26 gigawatts, improving land use and transmission efficiency.

Off-grid solar systems are bringing major benefits to rural regions. With a combined capacity of over 5.4 gigawatts, they are replacing diesel generators and improving energy access. These include solar lanterns, solar water pumps for agriculture, and local mini-grids that help rural users cut costs and reduce pollution.

Despite this strong growth, challenges remain. Land acquisition for large solar parks is becoming harder, and grid integration of variable solar power needs better infrastructure and balancing technology. Global trade developments are also influencing India’s solar expansion. Higher import duties on solar modules in the U.S. have redirected many suppliers to India, increasing availability and reducing costs. With steady installations, favorable policies, and strong investments, India continues to strengthen its position as a global leader in renewable energy.

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