India Achieves Milestone of 4 Lakh Rooftop Solar Installations Under PM Suryaghar Yojana

India has achieved a significant milestone under the PM Suryaghar Yojana, with over 4 lakh rooftop solar installations to date, according to Pralhad Joshi, Minister of New and Renewable Energy. Launched in February 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the scheme aims to install rooftop solar systems in 10 million households by 2027, with a total budget outlay of Rs. 75,021 crore. This initiative is part of India’s broader goal to transition towards cleaner energy and reduce its carbon footprint.

Accelerating India’s Solar Growth

Speaking about the progress, Joshi emphasized the rapid pace of solar adoption in India, noting that the country has added 17.44 gigawatts (GW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity from January to September 2024. "Solar power now constitutes 20% of India’s total installed power capacity, with a growth rate of more than 26% from the previous year," said Joshi, highlighting the pivotal role of solar energy in driving India’s green energy transition.

India’s renewable energy capacity crossed the 200 GW mark in early October 2024, with solar energy contributing 90.76 GW to this total, according to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). Solar remains the largest contributor to India’s renewable energy mix, followed by wind power at 47.36 GW.

Challenges in Rooftop Solar Expansion

While the PM Suryaghar Yojana has seen strong progress, certain challenges persist, particularly in regions with high transportation costs for solar panels. Ajay Yadav, joint secretary in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, noted, "There are some states where the transportation cost of panels is high, like the northeastern states and islands such as Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar. We are working to find solutions to these logistical challenges."

Land availability has also been cited as a significant challenge for solar power projects in India. The government is actively engaging with developers and state authorities to resolve these issues and ensure the continued expansion of solar energy infrastructure.

A Bright Future for Rooftop Solar

As of March 2024, India’s residential rooftop solar capacity stood at 3.2 GW, with Gujarat accounting for three-quarters of this capacity, according to a report by JMK Research and Analytics. In just six months, India has added around 1.8 GW of new residential rooftop solar capacity, or more than half of the country’s total.

The report attributes the growth to factors such as increased capital subsidies under the PM Suryaghar Yojana, falling solar module costs, and greater consumer awareness of the benefits of rooftop solar systems. "With these factors in place, the outlook for India’s residential rooftop solar market looks highly promising," the report concluded.