India is now the third-largest producer of solar panels worldwide, officially surpassing Japan in the process. Japan produced 96,459 GWh of solar energy, whereas India produced 108,494 GWh, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Remarkably, India’s solar environment was still in its infancy ten years ago, with panels scattered across a small number of rooftops and deserts.

India’s varied approach to growing renewable energy is reflected in its cumulative solar power capacity of 119.02 GW as of July 2025, which includes 90.09 GW from ground-mounted solar plants, 19.88 GW from grid-connected rooftop systems, 3.06 GW from hybrid projects, and 5.09 GW from off-grid solar installations.

The nation is working to meet the goal of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel electricity capacity by 2030 as part of the commitment made at COP26. This pledge might be seen as a significant step towards India’s larger climate objectives and sustainable energy transformation. India’s location on the Tropic of Cancer makes it a country with significant potential for solar power generation. 748 GW is the Indian continent’s entire solar sector potential.

With some of the nation’s highest solar potential, states and union territories (UTs), including Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh, are important contributors to the expansion of renewable energy in India. By July 2025, the nation’s solar power capacity had grown by 4,000%, bringing the overall capacity for renewable energy to 227 GW. Amazingly, after relying solely on solar energy, Palli hamlet in Jammu & Kashmir became India’s first carbon-neutral panchayat.