Nearly 24 lakh households have adopted rooftop solar as of December 2025 under PM Surya Ghar

India’s rooftop revolution has accelerated at a remarkable pace. Under the PM Surya Ghar programme, launched in early 2024 to put solar panels on one crore homes, nearly 24 lakh households had already installed rooftop systems by December 2025. Together, these installations are generating around 7 GW of electricity—clean power produced where it’s consumed, easing pressure on grids and cutting household energy bills.

The rise of distributed solar

Rooftop solar is emerging as a powerful complement to large-scale projects, bringing clean energy directly to homes and communities. Beyond emissions reductions, household systems help improve voltage stability for distribution networks and can reduce peak demand when paired with storage or smart appliances. The growing adoption under PM Surya Ghar signals a cultural shift: solar is no longer a niche technology, but a mainstream choice for urban and rural consumers alike.

A decade that changed the energy mix

Over ten years, India’s solar capacity has expanded more than fortyfold—from roughly 3 GW in 2014 to 129 GW by October 2025. This surge has powered a wider transformation: non-fossil installed capacity crossed 259 GW by late 2025, meaning clean sources now account for more than half of the nation’s total power capacity. Rooftop systems, utility-scale parks, and hybrid wind–solar projects have all contributed to this milestone.

Policy compass: targets for 2030

India’s push is steered by a long-term vision that includes 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity by 2030 and a 45 percent reduction in emissions intensity. These targets, set within the country’s broader climate commitments, continue to guide planning, grid upgrades, and investment decisions—ensuring that today’s installations align with tomorrow’s low-carbon economy.

Manufacturing, jobs, and supply chains

Building domestic capacity has been central to the solar strategy. The Production-Linked Incentive scheme for solar PV modules has catalysed local manufacturing, drawing investments of about Rs 52,900 crore and creating approximately 44,400 jobs as of September 2025. Strengthening the value chain—from polysilicon to modules—reduces import dependence, stabilises costs, and lays the groundwork for technology upgrades and export potential.

Solar in the fields: empowering farmers

The PM-KUSUM programme is reshaping rural energy access by supporting solar pumps and the solarisation of existing grids in agriculture. More than 9 lakh standalone pumps and over 10,000 grid-connected pumps have been solarised so far. For farmers, that means reliable daytime power for irrigation, lower diesel consumption, and opportunities to feed surplus electricity back into local networks where frameworks allow.

Utility-scale backbone: solar parks and hybrids

Large solar parks continue to anchor the clean energy expansion. Fifty-five parks have been approved across 13 states, with nearly 15 GW already commissioned. These parks offer developers pre-arranged land and grid access, accelerating timelines and enabling economies of scale. Increasingly, hybrid configurations that blend solar with wind or storage are helping smooth variability and improve capacity utilisation.

India on the global solar stage

In October 2025, New Delhi hosted the 8th Assembly of the International Solar Alliance, drawing delegates from more than 125 countries. Discussions focused on financing mechanisms, technology cooperation, and resilient supply chains—all essential to accelerating deployment in both emerging and developed markets. The gathering underscored a central idea: solar energy is a driver of inclusive development, with benefits that should reach every household, farmer, and village.

Why rooftop momentum matters now

• Energy security: Rooftop solar reduces grid losses and diversifies supply close to demand centres.
• Affordability: Lower electricity bills can free up household income and hedge against tariff volatility.
• Air quality and climate: Clean generation at the point of use cuts emissions and local pollution.
• Jobs and skills: Installation, maintenance, and manufacturing create durable employment across regions.

The road to one crore solar homes

Reaching the PM Surya Ghar target will require continued attention to financing, standardised installations, and robust after-sales service. Priority areas include streamlined approvals, smart meters and net metering where appropriate, and better access to low-cost loans. As domestic manufacturing scales, equipment availability and service networks are improving—positioning rooftop solar to become a routine fixture in Indian homes.

From less than 3 GW a decade ago to 129 GW in 2025, solar has become the backbone of India’s clean energy shift. With nearly 24 lakh households already generating their own power, the rooftop wave is no longer a pilot—it is the new normal, and a cornerstone of the country’s journey toward a resilient, low-carbon future.