India Accelerates Rooftop Solar Installations

India’s rooftop solar push is accelerating, with 16,000 daily installations, according to Union New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi. The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has benefited 50 lakh households, with rooftop solar installations exceeding 16,000 every day.

The installation pace has more than tripled over the past year, from around 5,000 systems a day in October 2025 to over 16,000 per day in July 2026.

Rooftop Solar Installations Accelerate

The scheme is one of the country’s fastest-growing clean energy initiatives, with the government pushing clean energy manufacturing through PLI schemes, battery storage, and innovation.

Joshi said the programme is not only expanding access to clean electricity but is also helping create a nationwide rooftop solar ecosystem while boosting domestic renewable energy manufacturing.

India is nearing 300 GW of installed non-fossil fuel power capacity and remains on track to achieve its target of 500 GW by 2030.

Government Measures to Strengthen Renewable Energy Sector

The minister highlighted a series of government measures aimed at strengthening the renewable energy sector, including the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for high-efficiency solar photovoltaic modules and the Green Energy Corridor programme.

The government has also introduced lower GST on renewable energy equipment and customs duty exemptions for capital goods used in lithium-ion battery manufacturing.

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Joshi urged industry to increase investments in research and development, particularly in advanced solar technologies, battery storage, and emerging clean energy solutions.

Calling innovation the next frontier of India’s energy transition, Joshi emphasized the need for domestic manufacturing capacity to reduce import dependence and strengthen India’s ambition to become a global clean energy manufacturing hub.

Domestic Manufacturing Capacity

Heavy Industries and Steel Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said India’s long-term energy security would increasingly depend on its ability to manufacture clean energy technologies domestically.

The government’s ₹18,100-crore Production Linked Incentive scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell batteries and the PM E-DRIVE programme are helping build domestic manufacturing capacity.

As India continues to push for clean energy, the focus on domestic manufacturing capacity is expected to play a key role in achieving the country’s renewable energy targets.

In the middle of this growth, it’s reasonable to consider that India’s energy transition might be shaped by its ability to innovate and manufacture clean energy technologies, potentially leading to a more sustainable and self-sufficient energy sector.

The World Bank Group has committed $890 million to promote solar rooftop projects in India, further supporting the country’s clean energy initiatives.