How Solar Energy Was Introduced in India and How It Is Spreading Its Magic
In a country where sunlight shines for more than 300 days a year, solar energy was a sleeping giant waiting to be awakened. Over the last two decades, India has witnessed a remarkable journey in renewable energy, with solar power emerging as a game-changer. What began as a small step toward clean energy has become a nationwide movement, empowering millions and redefining how we think about power generation. Here’s how solar energy was introduced in India—and how it’s spreading its magic today.
The Early Days: A Spark in the 1970s
The concept of using solar energy in India dates back to the 1970s, when the global oil crisis prompted countries to look for alternative energy sources. At that time, India launched its first solar energy programs through government research and pilot projects. However, limited technology, high costs, and low awareness made it difficult for solar to move beyond laboratories and experimental projects.
The real push began in the 1980s and 1990s when India started investing in renewable energy research through institutions like the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (now the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy or MNRE). These efforts laid the groundwork for a solar revolution that would take off in the next millennium.
The Turning Point: Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM)
The real turning point came in 2010 with the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) launch under the National Action Plan on Climate Change. This policy aimed to make India a global leader in solar energy by promoting large-scale grid-connected projects and encouraging the adoption of off-grid solutions.
The goal was ambitious: to install 20 GW of solar capacity by 2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi revised this target to 100 GW in 2015 as part of India’s broader commitment to renewable energy. The revised target included 60 GW from utility-scale solar and 40 GW from rooftop solar.
The mission introduced various policies and incentives, such as:
- Feed-in tariffs and viability gap funding.
- Subsidies for rooftop solar installations.
- Net metering policies allow users to sell excess power back to the grid.
- Solar parks and green energy corridors.
These initiatives catalyzed private sector investment and helped bring down the cost of solar electricity drastically.
Falling Costs, Rising Power
One of the most magical aspects of India’s solar story is the dramatic fall in solar power costs. In 2010, the cost of solar electricity in India was over ₹17 per unit. As of 2024, it has dropped to around ₹2-3 per unit, cheaper than coal in many cases.
This decline was driven by:
- Mass production of solar panels, especially in China.
- Competitive bidding and reverse auctions.
- Technological advancements and innovation.
- Government incentives and international financing.
Today, India is home to some of the world’s largest solar parks, such as the Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan, which has a capacity of over 2,245 MW and covers more than 14,000 acres.
Reaching Homes and Villages
Solar energy in India is not limited to massive farms or urban rooftops—it has made its way into remote villages and rural homes. Off-grid solar solutions like solar lanterns, water pumps, and mini-grids have brought light and power to areas where traditional electricity had never reached.
Organizations like Selco, Tata Power Solar, and Husk Power Systems have played a major role in this rural solar revolution. Today, millions of people in India use solar to power their homes, mobile phones, irrigation systems, and even local businesses.
In states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, mini solar grids have replaced polluting diesel generators and unreliable electricity supply. In Rajasthan and Gujarat, farmers use solar pumps to irrigate fields without depending on erratic power lines.
Rooftop Solar and Urban Adoption
In cities, rooftop solar has gained momentum, especially among educational institutions, housing societies, and commercial buildings. Programs like SRISTI (Sustainable Rooftop Implementation for Solar Transfiguration of India) and Solar City Initiatives have encouraged urban populations to turn their rooftops into power plants.
Net metering policies and falling panel prices have made it feasible for families to install solar and reduce their power bills significantly. States like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Delhi are leading in rooftop solar installations.
India’s Global Position
India is now the 5th largest solar power producer in the world. The country is also playing a leadership role globally through the International Solar Alliance (ISA)—a treaty-based coalition of 100+ sunshine-rich countries, headquartered in Gurugram. The ISA aims to mobilize $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030 and promote affordable solar power across the globe.
The Road Ahead: A Brighter, Greener Future
As of early 2025, India has crossed 75 GW of installed solar capacity. But this is just the beginning. The next phase includes:
- Scaling up rooftop installations in residential buildings.
- Solarizing agriculture through KUSUM (Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan).
- Hybrid systems combining solar with wind and battery storage.
- Creating green jobs and boosting domestic solar manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
With supportive policies, public awareness, and innovative business models, solar energy is not just an environmental solution—it’s an economic and social transformation.
Conclusion
From a fledgling experiment to a nationwide mission, solar energy in India has come a long way. It is lighting homes, fueling industries, empowering rural communities, and reducing our carbon footprint. As we move forward, the sun is no longer just a source of light, it is rather a symbol of India’s sustainable future. The magic of solar is real, and it’s only just begun to shine.
References:
https://www.investindia.gov.in/blogs/indias-solar-power-revolution-leading-way-renewable-energy
