- India’s installed rooftop solar (RTS) capacity increased by 2.99 GW in 2023-2024, the highest growth in a year.
- As of March 2024, the total installed RTS capacity in India was 11.87 GW, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
- The Roof Top Solar programme:
- India launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission in January 2010.
Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
- It is a flagship initiative to fit one crore households with RTS systems and help them get up to 300 units of free electricity every month.
- An average system size of 2 kW for targeted households will result in a total RTS capacity addition of 20 GW.
- The scheme has a financial outlay of ₹75,021 crore, which includes financial assistance for consumers, incentives to companies, local bodies and model solar villages.
- In 2015, the government revised the target to 100 GW by 2022, including a 40-GW RTS component, with yearly targets for each State and Union Territory.
- In December 2022, India had an installed RTS capacity of 7.5 GW and extended the deadline for the 40-GW target to 2026.
- Potential of Rooftop Solar Programme:
- India’s overall RTS potential is approximately 796 GW. By 2030, RTS alone needs to contribute about 100 GW by 2030.
- As of March 2024, Gujarat tops with 3,456 MW RTS capacity, followed by Maharashtra, with 2,072 MW. Rajasthan’s highest RTS potential of 1,154 MW is driven by streamlined approvals and incentives.
- Investments in training programmes like the ‘Suryamitra’ solar PV technician programme initiated in 2015 will help build a skilled workforce.
Dig Deeper: Read about the PM-KUSUM scheme.
