India's floating solar photovoltaic potential has been assessed at over 102 GWp, lifting the country's total evaluated solar potential to 3,445 GWp, according to a report released by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi in New Delhi on 10 June 2025. The findings mark a significant expansion in India's clean energy resource mapping and underscore the growing role of water bodies in the country's renewable energy strategy.

Floating Solar and the Dedicated Scheme

Minister Joshi said the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is actively developing a dedicated scheme to promote floating solar deployment across the country. He noted that reservoirs and other water bodies are increasingly being recognised as strategic assets for clean energy generation, offering dual benefits of power production and reduced water evaporation.

Notably, this assessment places India among the few nations to have formally quantified large-scale floating solar potential as part of national energy planning — a step that could unlock private and institutional investment in the segment.

Small Hydro Portal Launch and Policy Shift

On the same occasion, Joshi launched an online portal for the Small Hydro Power Development Scheme, describing it as the first major policy intervention in the small hydro sector since 2017. The portal is designed to enhance transparency and operational efficiency in scheme implementation, streamlining approvals and monitoring for developers and state agencies alike.

India's Solar Manufacturing and Capacity Milestones

Joshi highlighted that India's non-fossil fuel capacity has grown from 81 GW in 2014 to 288 GW, while solar capacity alone has surged from 2.8 GW to 155 GW over the same period. Domestic manufacturing has kept pace: module manufacturing capacity has reached 192 GW and cell manufacturing capacity stands at 30 GW.

The Minister said India has transitioned from a power-deficit nation to a power-surplus nation, positioning itself as a major renewable energy manufacturing hub with growing global recognition for its clean energy delivery.

Flagship Programmes and Citizen Participation

Joshi underscored that schemes such as PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and PM-KUSUM are broadening citizen participation in India's clean energy transition. These programmes target rooftop solar adoption by households and agricultural consumers, respectively, accelerating grassroots renewable uptake.

'Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and leadership over the past twelve years have transformed India into a global clean energy leader and accelerated the country's journey towards Viksit Bharat,' Joshi said at the event.

NISE-MES MoU and Book Release

On the sidelines, the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and Military Engineering Services (MES) signed a memorandum of understanding to advance solar energy adoption across defence establishments. Under the agreement, NISE will provide technical support for planning, implementation, and monitoring of renewable energy projects in the defence sector.

Joshi also released 'Green Energy and Sustainable Development', a book authored by Dr. Mohammad Rihan, expressing confidence that it would serve researchers, students, and policymakers working in the clean energy space. With floating solar guidelines and a small hydro portal now in motion, the ministry's next steps will likely determine how quickly these assessed gigawatts translate into commissioned capacity.