In Short : India added 25.2 GW of solar capacity in 2024, a 204% increase from 2023. Large-scale projects led this growth, with Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra contributing the most. Despite progress, challenges like transmission issues and high costs remain. To meet 2030 targets, India must accelerate solar and wind capacity expansion while improving infrastructure and policies.
In Detail : India added 25.2 GW of solar capacity in 2024, marking a significant 204% increase from the previous year’s 8.3 GW. This growth was largely driven by large-scale solar projects, which contributed 22 GW, reflecting a 235% rise. Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra emerged as the leading states, accounting for a combined 67% of the total additions.
Despite this rapid expansion, challenges persist in the sector. Transmission infrastructure remains a bottleneck, causing delays in integrating new solar capacity into the grid. Additionally, supply chain disruptions and increased costs due to import duties on solar modules continue to pose hurdles for developers.
As of December 2024, India’s total installed solar capacity reached 98.7 GW, with large-scale projects making up over 86% of this figure. Rooftop solar installations contributed nearly 14%, showcasing steady growth in distributed solar generation. Solar power also accounted for 73% of the total 34.7 GW of new energy capacity added in the year.
Experts highlight that to achieve the country’s 2030 renewable energy goals, India must install over 35 GW of solar capacity annually. Policy stability, faster project approvals, and improved domestic manufacturing capabilities will be key to sustaining this growth. Ensuring a balance between local production and affordable module imports is also crucial for the sector.
Despite impressive solar expansion, India’s reliance on fossil fuels remains high. Over two-thirds of the power generation increase in 2024 came from coal and other non-renewable sources. Strengthening energy storage solutions and upgrading transmission networks will be vital in shifting towards a more sustainable energy mix.
Financial institutions have pledged $386 billion towards renewable energy expansion, with major contributions from leading corporations. However, addressing financing challenges, ensuring efficient grid integration, and accelerating the adoption of clean energy technologies will be essential for India to stay on track with its long-term sustainability commitments.
