Recently, the Union Minister of New & Renewable Energy, launched the Solar PV Potential Assessment Report 2025 and the first Solar Manufacturing Training Programme at National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), Gurugram.

This scientific and spatially resolved study builds on the 2014 estimate of 749 GWp.

• These initiatives have been launched under Seva Parv, aligned with India’s Panchamrit commitments (COP26).
• These initiatives represent a decisive step towards:
  • Achieving 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030,
  • Ensuring energy independence by 2047, and
  • Fulfilling India’s net-zero commitment by 2070.

Key Findings of Solar PV Potential Assessment Report (Ground-Mounted) 2025

• Feasible Potential: ~3,343 GWp of ground-mounted solar potential using just 6.69% of identified wasteland.
  • GWp (Gigawatt-peak) refers to the maximum power output of a solar PV system under standard test conditions (STC).
• Methodology Used: Based on high-resolution geospatial mapping, refined land-use models, shading analysis, and infrastructure proximity.
• Geographic Spread: Rajasthan and Gujarat remain strong hubs, but states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh also offer high solar potential.
• Policy Use: Provides an investment-ready framework for site identification, infrastructure planning, and private sector participation.

About the First Solar Manufacturing Training Programme (NISE, Gurugram)

• Hands-on Training: The programme provides practical exposure in solar cell and module manufacturing, covering advanced processes, quality control standards, and global best practices.
• Skilled Workforce Support: It strengthens India’s growing manufacturing base of 100+ GW module capacity and 15+ GW cell capacity, ensuring a steady supply of trained manpower for both domestic deployment and export markets.
• Boost to Atmanirbhar Bharat: By reducing dependence on imported components and enhancing local capacity, the programme promotes self-reliance while positioning India as a globally competitive hub for solar manufacturing.

About Solar Energy

• Solar power is energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy. 
• Technology Used: It is done either through photovoltaic (PV) panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation (CSP). 
  • PV cells convert solar radiation (sunlight) into electricity. 
  • Concentrating Solar Power systems, use concentrated solar radiation as a high temperature energy source to produce electricity.
• Cleanest Renewable Energy: It has been recognized as an alternative to conventional energy resources. It is the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy source available.

Solar Energy in India

• Energy Transition Target: India has ambitious plans of sourcing about 500 GW, nearly half its requirement of electricity, from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. 
  • At least 280 GW from solar power by that year or at least 40 GW of solar capacity being annually added until 2030. 
• Incident Solar Energy in India: The energy of about 5,000 trillion kWh per year is incident over India’s land area with most parts receiving 4 to 7 kWh m-2 per day. 
• Exponential Growth in Installed Solar Capacity (2014–2025): Solar power has a major share in the country’s current renewable energy capacity, which is around 180 GW.
  • Solar capacity has increased more than 39 times, from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 110.9 GW in 2025, including a record 23.83 GW added in 2024–25 alone.
• Manufacturing Boost (2014 to March 2025):
  • Solar PV module capacity surged from 2.3 GW to 88 GW, a 38-fold increase.
  • Solar PV cell capacity grew from 1.2 GW to 25 GW, a 21-fold increase.

Driving Factors Behind Solar Power in India

• Favorable Geography: India is ideally suited for the production of solar power due to its year-round abundance of sunlight. 
  • India’s average solar irradiance is ~3.5–5.5 kWh/m²/day, with high-potential regions reaching up to 7 kWh/m²/day.
• Decline in Solar Power Tariffs: The rapid decline in solar power tariffs from 2015 to around 2.5 per kilowatt hour (kWh) from nearly Rs 6/kWh has rendered solar tariffs cost-competitive with conventional thermal power. 
  • Ideally, the availability of competitive solar tariffs should encourage greater adoption of solar energy, thereby influencing clean energy investment decisions in the states.
• Solar Potential: India has an estimated solar power potential of about 748.99 GW, indicating that the full potential of solar energy is yet to be harnessed.
• Declining Technology Costs: The cost of renewable energy technologies has been on a downward trajectory, enhancing affordability for businesses and individual consumers alike.
• Growing Energy Demand: India’s robust economic growth translates to rising demand for energy. This demand provides a substantial market for renewable energy investments, encouraging firms to venture into this sector.
• Employment Generation: As the sector expands, more jobs will be generated, offering individuals a chance to contribute to the sustainable energy transition.

Significance of Solar Energy for India

• Abundant Solar Potential: Located in the tropical region with high irradiance (3.5–5.5 kWh/m²/day), India has a technical solar potential of 748 GW, spread across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
• Energy Security: Solar energy reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels, cuts coal demand, and ensures long-term energy independence. The transition strengthens Atmanirbhar Bharat while lowering foreign exchange outgo.
• Climate Commitments: Solar expansion is critical to India’s pledge of 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2070, aligned with the Paris Agreement and Panchamrit (COP26).
• Socio-Economic Transformation: Rooftop and decentralized solar models empower households, farmers, and tribal communities. Palli village (J&K) became India’s first carbon-neutral panchayat, and Modhera (Gujarat) emerged as India’s first Suryagram with 24×7 renewable supply.
• Global Leadership: India ranks 3rd in the world in solar power and 4th in overall renewable capacity, surpassing Japan in 2025 by generating 1,08,494 GWh of solar electricity.
• Industrial & Job Growth: Domestic solar manufacturing capacity for modules grew from 2.3 GW (2014) to 88 GW (2025), and cells from 1.2 GW to 25 GW, creating lakhs of green jobs while supporting startups and MSMEs.

India’s Initiatives to Promote Solar Energy

• PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana: Provides up to 300 units of free electricity per month through rooftop solar, targeting 1 crore households.
  • Subsidy support of ₹30,000–78,000 per household ensures affordability.
• Rooftop Solar Programme: Aims to achieve 40 GW rooftop capacity by 2026 in the residential sector, supported by Central Financial Assistance (CFA).
• Solar Didi Vision: A women-centric initiative placing Nari Shakti at the forefront of India’s clean energy transition through solar training, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment, linking gender equity with sustainability and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana: Plans to equip 1 crore households with rooftop panels, complementing PM Surya Ghar to expand solar penetration.
• PM-KUSUM Scheme: Helps farmers replace diesel pumps with solar, install standalone pumps, and set up solar plants on barren land. With an outlay of ₹34,422 crore, it targets 34.8 GW capacity.
• Solar Parks & Ultra-Mega Projects: 53 parks sanctioned with ~40 GW capacity; 26 operational with 13,896 MW installed. Provide large-scale clean electricity at lower costs.
• PLI Scheme for High-Efficiency Modules: With ₹24,000 crore outlay, the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme strengthens domestic supply chains (ingots, wafers, cells, modules) and cuts import dependence.
• PM JANMAN Solar Electrification: Provides solar power to 1 lakh tribal households, solarizes 2000 public institutions, and empowers Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
• Floating Solar & Agrivoltaics: Projects like 600 MW Omkareshwar Floating Solar Park (Madhya Pradesh) and agrivoltaics (farming + solar panels) optimize land use and boost farmer income.
• International Leadership – ISA & OSOWOG:
  • International Solar Alliance (ISA): Launched by India and France (2015); now with 122 signatories. Mobilises $1 trillion solar investments by 2030.
  • One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG): Aims to connect global solar grids, based on the idea “the sun never sets.”
• Global Solar Facility: A payment guarantee fund under ISA to stimulate investments in underserved regions, especially Africa.
• Policy & Regulatory Support:
  • 100% FDI permitted in the solar sector.
  • Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) waiver for projects commissioned by June 2025.
  • Standards notification for solar PV systems/devices.
  • Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on imported solar cells/modules to boost domestic adoption.

Challenges with Solar Power Generation in India

• Weak DISCOM Performance: Debt-ridden distribution companies (DISCOMs) are reluctant to facilitate rooftop solar connectivity or purchase surplus power. Their financial stress and poor partnerships discourage adoption and slow grid integration.
• Slow Progress in Targets: Against the original goal of 40 GW rooftop solar by 2022, only 11 GW was installed by 2023 (mostly in commercial/industrial sectors). The target has now been revised to 100 GW by 2026, with 40 GW from the residential sector, yet progress remains slow.
• Non-Compliance with RPOs: Nearly 25 of 30 states have failed to meet their Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs), undermining confidence in renewable energy adoption and weakening demand pull for rooftop solar projects.
  • RPOs are mechanisms designed to compel power procurers in every state, like DISCOMS, captive power producers and open-access consumers, to annually purchase a certain minimum amount of renewable energy. 
• Import Dependency & Weak Domestic Manufacturing: India imports the bulk of its solar cells and modules, mainly from China and Vietnam, worth $11.17 billion in five years. Domestic capacity remains limited to module assembly, with little presence across the full supply chain.
• Grid Limitations & Intermittency: India’s outdated grid infrastructure, designed for conventional power, cannot fully absorb variable rooftop generation. Transmission gaps (e.g., Leh solar project cancellation) and renewable intermittency cause grid instability, energy wastage, and reliance on backup sources.
• Environmental & Weather Challenges: Rising aerosol loads from emissions and dust are reducing solar potential, as highlighted in IMD’s Mausam journal. Variability in Bright Sunshine Hours (BHS) across regions, alongside adverse weather events, further hampers consistent generation.
• Growing Solar Waste Burden: India’s current solar installations have already generated 100 kilotonnes of waste, projected to rise to 340 kilotonnes by 2030, necessitating urgent recycling and waste management strategies.

Way Forward

• Solar Waste Management & Recycling: A robust database of installed solar capacity must be maintained to estimate future waste. 
  • Policymakers should incentivize recyclers, create a solar recycling market, and ensure sustainable disposal of panels at the end of their life cycle.
• Grid Modernisation & Storage Integration: India must revamp its grid into a smart, flexible, and resilient system to handle renewable intermittency. 
  • Bundling projects with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Pumped Hydro Storage (PHS) will provide grid stability and reliable power supply.
• Aligning Capacity with RPO Targets: With the new Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) framework (2024 onwards), solar installations must align with national targets. 
  • Any shortfall should be met through the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) mechanism to maintain compliance.
• Structural Power Sector Reforms: The poor financial health of DISCOMs remains a key bottleneck. 
  • Urgent reforms include direct benefit transfer, privatisation of inefficient utilities, strict RPO compliance, and protection against contract renegotiation to boost investor confidence.
• Research, Development & Indigenous Technology: Greater investment in domestic solar R&D, hybrid energy systems, and advanced storage technologies is essential to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Skilling & Workforce Development: Expanding NISE-led training programmes nationwide and focusing on unskilled and rural populations can create a future-ready workforce and ensure equitable benefits from renewable energy transitions.
• Financing & Global Cooperation: Bridging the green finance gap requires Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), blended finance, and concessional funds. 
  • India must also leverage climate finance, technology transfer, and partnerships through ISA and COP platforms to accelerate deployment.

Conclusion

Solar energy aligns with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and India’s constitutional values of sustainable development, equity, and justice. By expanding solar adoption, India can ensure inclusive growth, environmental stewardship, and intergenerational equity.

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