India’s Clean Energy Push Gets New Boost with Solar Initiatives

The Minister said reservoirs, lakes and other water bodies are becoming valuable resources for clean power generation through floating solar installations.

Renewable energy growth reshapes India's power landscape

India's clean energy journey has gathered remarkable pace over the last twelve years, with renewable power moving from an emerging sector to a key pillar of the country's economic and energy strategy. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said the country's progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership has positioned India among the world's leading clean energy economies while supporting the broader vision of Viksit Bharat.

Speaking at an event in New Delhi, the Minister pointed to the rapid rise in renewable energy capacity, expansion of domestic manufacturing and growing public participation in green energy programmes as evidence of the transformation taking place across the country. He said India is no longer focused only on discussing possibilities in renewable energy, as large-scale implementation and visible results are now being seen across multiple sectors.

Floating solar potential crosses 100 GW

A major highlight of the event was the release of the Report on Floating Solar PV Potential Assessment of India, which estimates the country's floating solar capacity at more than 102 GWp. With this addition, India's total assessed solar energy potential has reached 3,445 GWp.

The Minister said reservoirs, lakes and other water bodies are becoming valuable resources for clean power generation through floating solar installations. These projects offer an opportunity to produce electricity without placing additional pressure on land resources while making better use of existing infrastructure. The government is also preparing a dedicated scheme to encourage the deployment of floating solar projects across different parts of the country.

Another important announcement was the launch of an online portal under the Small Hydro Power Development Scheme. According to Shri Joshi, the platform will improve transparency, simplify implementation and strengthen monitoring of projects. The initiative represents the first significant policy step for the small hydro sector since 2017.

Citizen participation and manufacturing drive momentum

The Minister said programmes such as PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and PM-KUSUM are bringing citizens directly into India's energy transition by expanding access to renewable energy solutions and encouraging wider adoption at the household and community levels.

India's renewable energy growth has been accompanied by a sharp rise in manufacturing capacity. Non-fossil fuel power capacity has increased from 81 GW in 2014 to 288 GW, while solar capacity has expanded from just 2.8 GW to 155 GW. Domestic solar module manufacturing capacity has reached 192 GW and solar cell manufacturing capacity has grown to 30 GW, strengthening India's position as a major clean energy manufacturing hub.

The event also witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and the Military Engineering Services. The partnership will support the adoption of solar power across defence establishments through technical assistance in planning, implementation and monitoring.

Shri Joshi also released the book Green Energy and Sustainable Development authored by Dr. Mohammad Rihan, describing it as a useful resource for researchers, students and policymakers. He praised NISE for its contribution to innovation and technical advancement, stating that the initiatives launched today will support the creation of a self-reliant India powered by sustainable energy.