India logs record 2.7 lakh rooftop solar installs in April as MNRE hosts 'Run for Sun' Marathon
Synopsis
India's rooftop solar programme hit a record 2.7 lakh installations in a single month — April 2026 — as cumulative solar capacity crossed 150 GW, a 53-fold jump from 2.82 GW in 2014. With 50% of installed electricity now from non-fossil sources, India has beaten its own 2030 clean energy target by years.
Key Takeaways
India set a record 2.7 lakh rooftop solar installations in April 2026 — the highest single-month figure under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana .
Cumulative solar capacity reached 150 GW as of 31 March 2026 , up from 2.82 GW in 2014 — a 53-fold increase in twelve years.
The last 50 GW was added in just 15 months , the fastest such addition in India's history.
30 lakh rooftop solar installations completed under PM-SGMBY, benefiting over 45 lakh households .
50% of India's installed electricity capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources — a 2030 target achieved ahead of schedule.
India ranks third globally in installed renewable energy capacity.
India recorded its highest-ever single-month rooftop solar installations in April 2026, with 2.7 lakh panels added under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PM-SGMBY), the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) announced on 3 May 2026. The milestone was unveiled at the 'Run for Sun' Marathon, organised by MNRE in New Delhi on the occasion of International Sun Day.
Record Solar Milestones
India's cumulative solar capacity has crossed 150 gigawatts (GW) as of 31 March 2026, up from just 2.82 GW in 2014 — a 53-fold increase in twelve years, according to an official statement. Notably, the last 50 GW was added in just 15 months, the fastest such addition in the country's history. India now ranks third globally in installed renewable energy capacity.
PM Surya Ghar Yojana: Reaching Every Household
Under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, a total of 30 lakh rooftop solar installations have been completed to date, benefiting more than 45 lakh households across the country, according to the official statement. The scheme's April 2026 figure of 2.7 lakh installations in a single month underscores the accelerating pace of adoption at the grassroots level. This is the highest monthly figure recorded since the scheme's launch.
Clean Energy Target Achieved Ahead of Schedule
Around 50 per cent of India's installed electricity capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources — a target that was originally set for 2030 but has been achieved well ahead of schedule, according to the MNRE statement. This positions India as one of the few large economies to have met its clean energy transition targets early, reinforcing its standing in global climate commitments. This comes amid intensifying international pressure on major economies to accelerate decarbonisation.
'Run for Sun' Marathon: Building Public Momentum
The 'Run for Sun' event featured 2 km and 5 km races at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, drawing participants from across age groups. Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, said the marathon is
Point of View
But the more consequential number is the 50% non-fossil share of installed capacity, achieved years ahead of the 2030 deadline. What mainstream coverage underplays is the distributional question: with 45 lakh households benefiting from 30 lakh installations, the scheme's reach is widening, but India has over 30 crore households. The gap between momentum and universal access remains vast, and sustaining this pace without grid-integration investment could create new bottlenecks even as the headline numbers impress globally.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana?
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PM-SGMBY) is a government scheme aimed at providing free electricity to households through rooftop solar installations. As of May 2026, it has completed 30 lakh installations, benefiting over 45 lakh households across India.
What is India's current total solar energy capacity?
India's cumulative solar capacity stands at 150 GW as of 31 March 2026, up from 2.82 GW in 2014 — a 53-fold increase in twelve years, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Why is the April 2026 rooftop solar figure significant?
The 2.7 lakh rooftop solar installations completed in April 2026 is the highest single-month figure ever recorded under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, reflecting a sharp acceleration in the programme's on-ground rollout.
Has India met its 2030 clean energy target?
Yes, according to MNRE, approximately 50% of India's installed electricity capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources — a target originally set for 2030 that has been achieved ahead of schedule.
Where was the 'Run for Sun' marathon held and why?
The 'Run for Sun' marathon was held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on 3 May 2026, organised by MNRE on International Sun Day to celebrate India's solar energy milestones and build public awareness around clean energy adoption.
