Has India Achieved a Remarkable 4,000% Growth in Solar Capacity?

New Delhi, July 10 (NationPress) India has accomplished an impressive 4,000 percent surge in its installed solar capacity, with the nation’s renewable energy capacity now reaching a commendable 227 GW, as announced by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday.

While speaking at the 11th India Energy Storage Week (IESW) 2025, the minister noted that India is likely the first G20 country to fulfill its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

He drew attention to the recent Cabinet sanction of a Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development, and Innovation Fund under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, which has the potential to align with R&D investments of Rs 6-7 lakh crore in developed nations, considering India’s cost advantages.

In terms of infrastructure, Goyal emphasized the need for increased collaboration among stakeholders to develop both charging and battery swapping systems, which will accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and promote affordable, accessible e-mobility.

He encouraged the industry to strengthen supply chain resilience by minimizing reliance on specific regions and embracing new technologies to achieve self-sufficiency in the energy sector.

“India’s vision should encompass the entire value chain — from raw materials and cell components to battery packs, semiconductors, management systems, and recycling — to ensure a robust and self-sufficient clean energy ecosystem,” Goyal stated.

Highlighting India’s manufacturing advancements over the past decade, Goyal noted that the country's solar photovoltaic module capacity has surged nearly 38 times, while photovoltaic cell capacity has increased 21 times.

He mentioned the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, which aims to provide 1 crore households with rooftop solar panels to enhance energy self-sufficiency and lower electricity expenses.

The minister also pointed out the PM Kusum Yojana, which promotes the use of solar pumps in India’s agricultural sector. Moreover, the government has introduced a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) program to enhance the manufacturing of Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACC).

He stressed the significance of storage technologies—be it batteries, pumped storage, hydro storage, or geothermal—as critical for satisfying India’s future energy requirements.

Goyal highlighted that the energy sector will serve as a catalyst in India’s transition to clean and renewable power sources, a vision already evident in the nation's achievements over the last decade.

He reaffirmed India’s goal of reaching 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, asserting that energy storage will be pivotal in this journey.