India's journey toward harnessing solar energy has been nothing short of remarkable. It gained momentum with the launch of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) in 2010, which set ambitious targets for solar capacity. Today, India stands proudly among the global leaders in solar energy deployment, with large-scale solar parks, rooftop solar initiatives, and off-grid solutions revolutionising how energy is produced and consumed, says Tanya Singhal, Founder, Mynzo Carbon & SolarArise.

India is rapidly transforming its energy landscape, driven by the twin goals of reducing carbon emissions and meeting its growing energy demand. As the third-largest energy consumer in the world, India has recognised the urgent need to transition to clean, sustainable energy sources. Solar power has emerged as a key solution to this challenge, offering immense potential due to India's abundant sunlight and large, arid landscapes.

India's journey toward harnessing solar energy has been nothing short of remarkable. It gained momentum with the launch of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) in 2010, which set ambitious targets for solar capacity. Today, India stands proudly among the global leaders in solar energy deployment, with large-scale solar parks, rooftop solar initiatives, and off-grid solutions revolutionising how energy is produced and consumed. With a government committed to achieving 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030, of which a significant share is solar, India is set to revolutionise its energy sector while reducing dependence on fossil fuels. 

India has surpassed its original targets set under the National Solar Mission. Initially, the goal under JNNSM was to achieve 20 GW of solar capacity by 2020. India had far exceeded this target, having a total installed capacity of >200 GW renewables, of which over 40% or ~ 85 GW comes from solar power. The momentum continues to build, with the government planning to auction 50 GW of new solar projects every year. In the first half of FY2024 alone, the country has already seen 31.8 GW of new solar tenders, with 14.7 GW of new installations, including 11.7 GW of utility-scale projects and 3 GW of rooftop solar installations. Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), NTPC, NHPC, and SJVN play pivotal roles in these auctions, leading the country toward its ambitious 500 GW renewable energy target by 2030. This massive scale of expansion strengthens India's energy security and establishes the nation as a global leader in the transition to clean energy. 

Solar panels capture the sun's abundant energy and convert it into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) technology. At the heart of a solar panel are solar cells, usually made from silicon, a semiconductor material. When sunlight hits these cells, it energizes electrons, causing them to flow and create an electric current, a process known as the photoelectric effect. This simple yet powerful mechanism forms the basis for harnessing solar energy globally, and India has embraced it at an impressive scale.

Different types of solar panels power India's vast solar capacity, each offering unique benefits suited to various needs.  Monocrystalline solar panels, made from single silicon crystals, are highly efficient and ideal for installations where space is limited.  Polycrystalline panels, though slightly less efficient, are more cost-effective, making them popular for residential installations across India.  Thin-film solar panels, which use different materials and offer flexibility, are better suited for specific conditions, particularly in high-temperature environments. However, their lower efficiency limits their use in large-scale projects in India.

India is also exploring advanced technologies such as bifacial solar panels, which capture sunlight on both sides and promise to enhance efficiency and lower costs. With these innovations, solar technology continues to evolve, enabling India to increase its solar power generation capacity and reach its ambitious energy goals.

One of the most remarkable aspects of solar power in India is how vast tracts of barren, unproductive land are being transformed into green, energy-producing hubs. In regions like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, where the land was once considered arid and unsuitable for most forms of agriculture or development, solar farms now dot the landscape, harnessing the abundant sunlight and converting it into electricity. These areas, often remote and desolate, have become vital contributors to India's clean energy revolution, turning wastelands into centres of economic activity and environmental sustainability.  Take, for example, the Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Power Project in Madhya Pradesh, located far from urban centres.

This massive solar park generates power that is transmitted across the country. Remarkably, the electricity produced in Rewa powers the Delhi Metro, a system located hundreds of kilometres away. This highlights one of the most significant advantages of solar energy: the ability to generate power in one location and transmit it efficiently across vast distances through India's grid infrastructure. This ability to generate green energy in underutilised regions without needing nearby large water sources, fuel supplies, or population centres is a game-changer for India. The flexibility of solar power helps reduce the environmental footprint by avoiding the need for large, resource-intensive infrastructure developments, such as dams or coal mines, while also contributing to energy security. 

Economic impact of solar energy in India 

The economic impact of solar energy in India is profound, driving both the energy transition and economic growth. Thanks to its rapidly declining costs and the government's strong policy support, solar energy has become a vital component of India's energy mix. Today, solar power is being produced at a cost of sub-?3 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), making it significantly cheaper than electricity generated from fossil fuels, such as coal, which costs around ?4-5 per kWh. This dramatic reduction in solar power costs is due to two significant factors: the global decline in raw material prices and India's engineering expertise in building an efficient and robust solar ecosystem.

The economic value of solar power is increasingly embedded in the installation process itself. While there may be significant upfront capital expenditure (CAPEX) in setting up solar plants, the return on investment (ROI) is high over the long term. Once installed, solar panels require minimal maintenance and have low operating costs, making them an ideal investment for both businesses and households looking to hedge against fluctuating energy prices.

The Indian government has been instrumental in driving the growth of the solar sector by offering various forms of support, including Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. This scheme promotes domestic manufacturing of solar components, including solar modules, cells, and wafers. This initiative is expected to reduce India's reliance on imported solar equipment and create a robust domestic manufacturing base that supports the entire solar value chain.

As solar energy becomes a dominant force in India's renewable energy landscape, technological advancements ensure that it can power the country around the clock. While solar energy generation is inherently limited to daylight hours, India is increasingly focusing on 24-hour solar solutions by integrating energy storage technologies and hybrid systems. One of the key innovations enabling 24-hour solar power is integrating energy storage systems, primarily in the form of lithium-ion batteries and pumped hydro storage. Battery storage allows excess energy generated during the day to be stored and used during peak demand hours or the night. Now battery prices have plummeted, and it's possible to generate round-the-clock green power at sub ?5/unit!

Additionally, solar power is emerging as a critical enabler in producing green hydrogen, poised to revolutionise industries that are difficult to decarbonise, such as steel, chemicals, and heavy transportation. India's National Hydrogen Mission underscores its commitment to becoming a global hub for green hydrogen by investing over ?200 billion to drive the cost of green hydrogen down to competitive levels.

Despite rapid progress, some challenges in scaling solar energy across India remain. One of the primary hurdles (especially for residential consumers) is the initial capital expenditure required. While solar power is now cheaper than coal in terms of per-unit cost, the financial barrier to investing upfront has slowed adoption rates for rooftop installation. Given that the long-term benefits far outweigh these costs, the government of India has launched the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yogna, which gives a capital subsidy and additional debt support to overcome these hurdles. For large-scale installations, there is also a pressing need for improvements in grid infrastructure to ensure offtake in remote areas.

The future of solar energy in India is undeniably bright, with the country poised to become one of the world's largest producers and consumers of solar power. From transforming barren land into green energy hubs to powering major urban infrastructure projects, solar panels are revolutionising India's energy landscape, providing the country with a sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels with the government's strong support, technological advancements, and ambitious goals, India is set to achieve its ambitious goal of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, with solar playing a pivotal role. The integration of energy storage systems, hybrid solutions, and solar-powered hydrogen production will further enhance the role of solar in powering India around the clock.

In addition to grid-connected solar projects, the future will see significant growth in decentralised solar systems, particularly in rural and remote areas. Off-grid solar solutions will play a vital role in electrifying underserved regions. These systems, coupled with innovations in solar batteries, will help address the challenge of providing reliable, round-the-clock electricity.

India's solar journey is not just about meeting energy demand; it is about leading the world in the clean energy transition. By embracing solar power, India is transforming its own energy future and contributing to global efforts to combat climate change and create a more sustainable world.

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Tanya Singhal is an expert in the renewable energy and climate tech space with over 18 years of experience. At SolarArise, Tanya raised and deployed over Rs 20 billion to build largescale grid connected solar plants across multiple states in India. Tanya is building Mynzo Carbon - MyNetZerO, which uses AI to promote climate consciousness in the masses and get them to net zero.