Will solar power be a key role in India's future energy system?

Global solar generation in 2023 was more than six times larger than in 2015, while in India it was 17 times higher. India’s share of solar generation increased from 0.5 per cent of India’s electricity in 2015 to 5.8 per cent in 2023. Pathways to decarbonising electricity show that solar will play a central role in the future energy system.

Could solar power save India?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a goal to generate 450 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030 – five times the current capacity. If achieved, it also means that India would generate 60% of its electricity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, well beyond the 40% target in its Paris pledge. Solar could be India’s salvation.

How much electricity does India generate from solar?

The report, which includes the world’s first open dataset on electricity generation in 2023 covering 80 countries representing 92 per cent of global electricity demand, found that solar produced a record 5.5 per cent of global electricity in 2023. In line with this trend, India generated 5.8 per cent of its electricity from solar in 2023.

Will solar power grow in India?

Solar’s share in India’s power generation mix has begun to rise significantly since crossing the take-off point (1% of generation mix) in 2018, and is now entering an “accelerating growth” phase. NEP14 projects solar’s share in the mix climbing from 5% in FY 2022 to 17% in FY 2027, and ultimately reaching 25% by 2032.

Could solar power be India's salvation?

Solar could be India’s salvation. With around 300 sunny days a year, India has the potential to lead the world in solar electricity, which will be less expensive than existing coal-fired power by 2030, even when paired with battery storage.

Does India need solar energy?

India’s climate action is dependent upon energy transition (in the electricity sector) by betting large on shift to solar energy. In 2014-15, the Government had set a target of producing 175 Gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy by 2022, with 100 GW of solar energy. The present installed capacity of solar energy is only 60% of the target.