Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 15: In a significant stride towards clean energy, India’s rooftop solar power capacity is set to grow substantially, reaching an estimated 25–30 gigawatts (GW) by the financial year 2026–27, according to a recent report by CareEdge Ratings.

Driven by the country’s larger energy transition ambitions, rooftop solar is rapidly emerging as a vital component of India’s green energy strategy. With the current total renewable energy capacity touching 220 GW as of FY25 and an ambitious national solar capacity target of 300 GW by 2030, rooftop systems—especially in the commercial and industrial (C&I) sectors—are expected to play a pivotal role.

At present, India’s rooftop solar capacity stands at 17.02 GW. Increasing awareness among businesses about reducing operational costs and meeting environmental goals is fuelling this sector's growth.

Government-led initiatives, policy support such as net metering, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, and falling solar technology costs are giving rooftop solar adoption a much-needed boost. One such push comes from the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which targets installation of rooftop solar units in 1 crore households and offers subsidies of up to Rs 78,000.

“This will not only ease electricity bills for low and middle-income households but also create close to 17 lac jobs across the country, thereby strengthening the solar supply chain,” said Tanvi Shah, Director at CareEdge Advisory and Research.
The report also noted that as of March 10, the country had achieved a historic milestone of 10 lac rooftop solar installations.

Among states, Gujarat leads the charge with its forward-looking “Surya Gujarat” scheme, while Maharashtra has witnessed robust adoption across its MSME and urban commercial sectors, reflecting growing C&I demand.

“Although utility-scale solar continues to dominate the national solar mix, rooftop installations now account for around 20% of the total capacity and are gaining strategic importance due to their decentralised nature and direct user engagement,” the report highlighted.

With conducive policies, attractive financial support, and increasing consumer participation, India’s rooftop solar sector is poised for a transformative leap, laying a solid foundation for the nation’s clean energy future.