PM Surya Ghar Yojana: 8 installations per minute in FY26 as India clinches record growth in renewables

The Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar scheme is now in accelerated mode with installations scaled up sharply. Around 8 rooftop solar systems being set up every minute. On a daily basis, this translates to nearly 11,000 installations, and the pace is expected to rise to about 15,000 per day over the next 2-3 months. States are also stepping up with utility-led models, which are expected to support the scheme in achieving its target of 1 crore rooftop solar installations.

As per the current pipeline under the utility model, around 30 lakh rooftop solar systems are likely to be installed over the next 2-3 months.

That said, the country’s renewable energy sector recorded significant growth in 2025-26, with rapid capacity additions across solar and wind segments, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday, April 8. Addressing a press conference, the minister said the country’s renewable energy capacity has nearly tripled over the past 11 years to around 275 GW.

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Solar Energy Drives Record-Breaking Growth

Solar energy remained the key driver of this growth.

During 2025-26, India added 44.61 GW of solar capacity — the highest ever in a single year — with March alone accounting for 6.6 GW of new installations.

Wind energy also saw steady progress, with an additional 6.05 GW capacity added during the year.

Milestones in Non-Fossil Fuel Capacity

According to the ministry, the country’s total installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources has now reached 283.46 GW as of March 31, 2026.

It also achieved a milestone in June 2025, when 50 per cent of its cumulative installed electricity capacity came from non-fossil sources — five years ahead of its 2030 target under the Paris Agreement.

Renewable Share in Electricity Generation

The share of non-fossil fuels in total electricity generation stood at 29.2 per cent in 2025-26.

On July 29 last year, renewable energy met 51.5 per cent of the country’s total electricity demand in a single day — the highest ever.

Rooftop Solar Expansion Accelerates

Rooftop solar installations have also picked up pace. Over the past year, around 18.75 lakh rooftop systems were installed, taking the total number of beneficiary households to more than 42 lakh across the country, MNRE Secretary Santosh Kumar Sarangi said.

Joshi said the government expects a further push in the coming months, with up to 30 lakh additional rooftop installations likely in the next two to three months under the utility-led model.

With this, total rooftop installations could reach around 65 to 70 lakh in the next few months, he said.

Small Hydro and Alternative Energy Initiatives

MNRE Pralhad Joshi informed that the government is also working on expanding small hydro projects, with around 200 potential sites currently being identified. Along with that, they are also exploring ways to promote alternative clean energy usage.

Joshi said discussions are underway between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, and the Ministry of Power on the use of electric induction cooking and related equipment.

Policy Measures to Boost Renewable Sector

On the policy front, several measures have been taken to support the sector. The GST on renewable energy equipment has been reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent, lowering costs for developers and consumers. Customs duty exemptions have also been extended to key components used in battery energy storage systems to boost domestic manufacturing.

Growth in Domestic Manufacturing

India’s solar manufacturing capacity has seen a sharp jump, reaching 172 GW, while imports of solar modules have dropped significantly. At the same time, domestic wind manufacturing capacity has increased to 24 GW.

Reforms and Ease of Doing Business

The government has also introduced reforms in compliance mechanisms, transmission charges, and project approvals to improve ease of doing business in the sector.

Initiatives such as the Renewable Energy Equipment Import Monitoring System have been launched to improve transparency and track imports in real time.

Green Hydrogen and Emerging Technologies

In addition, the country has made progress in emerging areas such as green hydrogen. Large-scale projects have been awarded, and standards for green hydrogen and related fuels have been notified.