India's Solar Power Jumps 55% to Record 28.6 GW in 2025

India just proved that going green can happen fast when the momentum is right.

The country added a staggering 28.6 gigawatts of utility-scale solar power in 2025, a 55% leap from the year before. To put that in perspective, that's enough new capacity to power tens of millions of homes with clean energy from the sun.

The surge wasn't an accident. Developers raced to complete projects before a key tax waiver expired, and that deadline lit a fire under solar installations nationwide. Many long-delayed projects finally crossed the finish line, adding to the record-breaking year.

By the end of 2025, India's total renewable energy capacity reached nearly 258 gigawatts. Solar now makes up more than half of that power, with wind, hydro, and bio energy filling out the rest.

Rooftop solar panels saw explosive growth too, jumping 72% to nearly 8 gigawatts installed. Much of that boom came from a government program called PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which helped ordinary families afford solar panels on their homes. About 60% of these rooftop installations happened in just the second half of the year.

Wind power nearly doubled its additions from 2024, bringing 6.3 gigawatts of new capacity online. Open-access projects, where businesses buy renewable energy directly, drove most of that growth.

Gujarat led the charge among states, installing 11.1 gigawatts of new capacity. Rajasthan and Maharashtra followed close behind with 10.2 and 9.7 gigawatts respectively. Together, the top five states accounted for more than 80% of the country's total solar and wind additions.

India's domestic manufacturing capacity has grown right alongside installations, now exceeding 200 gigawatts for solar panels and cells. That means the country isn't just installing clean energy; it's building the technology itself, creating jobs and reducing dependence on imports.

The Ripple Effect

This solar surge ripples far beyond India's borders. As one of the world's most populous nations transitions to clean energy at this pace, it proves that developing countries can grow their economies while cutting carbon emissions. Other nations watching India's success now have a roadmap for their own renewable transitions.

The combination of government incentives, manufacturing growth, and private sector momentum created the perfect storm for clean energy in 2025. When deadlines and smart policy meet falling technology costs, transformation happens faster than anyone expected.

India's renewable revolution shows what's possible when a country commits to a cleaner future and backs it up with action.