India is strengthening its clean energy transition through the expansion of renewable energy capacity, domestic manufacturing, green hydrogen and distributed solar generation. Speaking at various industry events, Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy; Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; and Education, highlighted the progress made across these areas, while outlining the government’s efforts to strengthen green hydrogen infrastructure, promote domestic manufacturing, expand floating solar and accelerate rooftop solar adoption. He also spoke about the role of the states, industry and citizens in advancing India’s clean energy transition. Edited excerpts…
Expanding India’s solar potential
India has transformed from a power-deficit nation into a power-surplus nation while emerging as a major renewable energy manufacturing hub. The country has moved from discussing renewable energy potential to delivering measurable outcomes on the ground. Renewable energy capacity, domestic manufacturing and citizen participation have all expanded significantly.
India has emerged as one of the world’s leading solar markets. Non-fossil fuel capacity has increased from 81 GW in 2014 to over 300 GW now, while solar capacity has risen from 2.8 GW to 164 GW (as per the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) data, July 2026). Domestic solar manufacturing has expanded significantly, with module manufacturing capacity reaching 192 GW and cell manufacturing capacity touching 30 GW. The pace of solar adoption has also increased rapidly. The first 50 GW took 96 months, the next 50 GW took 36 months, while growth from 100 GW to 150 GW took only 14 months.
A major milestone has been the assessment of India’s floating solar potential. The Report on Floating Solar PV Potential of India estimates the country’s floating solar potential at over 102 GWp and takes India’s total assessed solar potential to 3,445 GWp. Reservoirs and other water bodies are emerging as important assets for clean energy generation through floating solar projects.
Further, the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is expanding citizen participation in India’s clean energy transition. The scheme has crossed 4 million beneficiary households within two years, and we are hopeful that by December 2026, we will cross 7.5 million households. The utility-linked aggregation model is designed to accelerate implementation, particularly among underserved households. Around 3 million rooftop solar installations have already been planned across states under this model, with utilities playing a key role in facilitating faster adoption and execution. The initiative will particularly benefit families consuming between 1 kW and 3 kW of electricity. With more than 6.5 million applications already in the pipeline, the scheme is witnessing strong public participation and unprecedented momentum across the country.
“PM Surya Ghar will become a people’s movement. More than 1.7 million households have achieved zero electricity bills, demonstrating direct savings for families. The scheme is expanding access to affordable clean energy and strengthening citizen participation in the energy transition.”
May 2026 was the strongest month since the launch of PM Surya Ghar, with a record 0.316 million rooftop solar installations in a single month and 15,000 households added in just one day. The pace of adding 100,000 households has also increased from 118 days to less than 8 days today. More than Rs 227.5 billion in subsidies has been disbursed, including Rs 27.43 billion in May 2026 alone. At a time when the world is facing energy uncertainties due to the West Asia crisis, initiatives such as PM Surya Ghar are strengthening India’s energy security and strategic resilience. Rooftop solar installations have increased from about 7,000 per month before the scheme to over 300,000 per month today. More than 1.7 million households have achieved zero electricity bills, demonstrating direct savings for families. The scheme is also expanding access to affordable clean energy and strengthening citizen participation in the energy transition.
We are confident that by 2047, every household will have rooftop solar. PM Surya Ghar will become a people’s movement. Looking ahead, we will integrate battery energy storage systems as storage costs decline and expand adoption through the Model Solar Village initiative.
Expanding participation in renewable energy
Flagship programmes such as PM Surya Ghar and the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan are expanding citizen participation in India’s clean energy transition and accelerating renewable energy adoption across the country. The government is also strengthening other renewable energy segments. The online portal for the Small Hydro Power Development Scheme will enhance transparency and efficiency in implementation and marks the first major policy intervention in the small-hydro sector since 2017.
India’s clean energy achievements have earned global recognition and demonstrated the country’s ability to deliver on ambitious climate and energy goals. The expansion of renewable energy, manufacturing and citizen participation is strengthening India’s clean energy transition and its journey towards energy self-reliance.
Strengthening the NGHM
The National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) is an important step towards strengthening India’s clean energy transition and reducing dependence on imported energy and supply chains. Launched in 2023 with an outlay of Rs 197.44 billion, the NGHM aims to establish 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen production capacity, supported by 125 GW of dedicated renewable energy capacity. It is expected to catalyse investments exceeding Rs 8 trillion, create over 600,000 jobs and reduce annual carbon emissions by 50 million tonnes.
States have an important role to play in advancing the mission. Six states have already notified dedicated green hydrogen policies, while seven others have integrated hydrogen into their existing industrial and renewable energy policy frameworks. Four more states are in the process of finalising their policies. We have urged states to actively participate in strengthening the NGHM through state policies, hubs and infrastructure.
The launch of the Green Hydrogen Certification Portal of India is another important step. Developed by the MNRE, the portal will facilitate transparent certification and regulatory compliance under the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India. The regulatory framework has also been strengthened through the finalisation of standards for green ammonia and green methanol.
Reducing dependence on imported supply chains is an important priority for the green hydrogen sector. Under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition programme, incentives have already been awarded for 862,000 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of green hydrogen production capacity. Financial incentives have also been awarded to 15 companies to establish 3,000 MW per annum of indigenous electrolyser manufacturing capacity. The response from industry has been encouraging. JSW successfully commissioned a 3,600 mtpa green hydrogen production plant in November 2025. In the refinery sector, contracts have been awarded for the supply of 30,000 mtpa of green hydrogen to Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and Numaligarh Refinery Limited.
The mission is also supporting the use of green hydrogen in sectors such as steel, mobility and fertilisers. To this end,Rs 840 million has been sanctioned for pilot projects testing 100 per cent hydrogen injection in the steel sector. In the mobility segment, nearly Rs 2.08 billion has been allocated to support 37 hydrogen-fuelled vehicles and 9 strategic refuelling stations. This is complemented by an investment of Rs 1.93 billion across seven national testing facilities. The mission has also taken a significant step towards reducing import dependence in the fertiliser sector, with agreements signed for the supply of 670,000 mtpa of green ammonia to 11 fertiliser plants.
Innovation and research are central to the development of a competitive green hydrogen ecosystem. A dedicated research and development road map worth Rs 1.13 billion is supporting 21 approved projects. The NGHM has also allocated Rs 1 billion to support start-ups working on green hydrogen technologies, with the first list of nine start-ups being approved with a total funding of Rs 220 million. These initiatives are intended to support the development and adoption of the technologies needed to strengthen the green hydrogen ecosystem. Along with manufacturing capacity, testing facilities and a streamlined regulatory framework, they will contribute to the development of indigenous capabilities in the sector.
“India’s clean energy achievements have earned global recognition and demonstrated the country’s ability to deliver on ambitious climate and energy goals. The expansion of renewable energy, manufacturing and citizen participation is strengthening India’s clean energy transition and its journey towards energy self-reliance.”