45 Lakh Indian Homes Now Solar-Powered, Says Pralhad Joshi

India has hit a big clean energy target. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday that 45 lakh households across the country now get their electricity from solar power. The announcement came via a post on the social media platform X.

Joshi called the number a "significant milestone" for India's shift to green energy. He did not give a specific date for when the mark was crossed, but said the government's push for rooftop solar and large solar parks drove the growth.

Rooftop Solar Leads the Way

The 45-lakh figure covers households hooked up to both rooftop solar panels and community solar projects. Rooftop solar has grown fast in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu. The government's PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, launched last year, offers free electricity to households that install rooftop panels. Under that scheme, a family can get up to 300 units of free power each month.

India's total solar capacity now stands at over 90 gigawatts. The country aims to hit 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. Solar makes up the biggest chunk of that target.

Homes vs. Big Plants

Most of India's solar power still comes from large ground-mounted plants. But the government has pushed hard on rooftop solar to bring clean power directly to homes. Officials say rooftop solar cuts household electricity bills and reduces strain on the grid during peak hours.

Critics point out that installation costs can still be high for poor families, even with subsidies. The government says it has made loans easy to get and simplified the paperwork. State-run banks now offer low-interest loans for rooftop solar systems.

Jobs and Local Manufacturing

The solar boom has also created jobs. Thousands of workers now install and maintain panels across the country. The government wants to build a strong domestic solar manufacturing base. It has put tariffs on imported panels to push local production. A few big factories for solar cells and modules have come up in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu in the last two years.

Joshi's announcement comes weeks after India submitted its updated climate goals to the United Nations. The country has promised to cut its emissions intensity by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030.

What's Next

The next big target is 1 crore households on solar power. The government has not set a deadline for that number, but officials say they want to reach it "as soon as possible." Rural areas remain a big focus. Many villages still face power cuts. Solar microgrids and small rooftop systems could fill the gap.

India added about 18 GW of solar capacity in the last financial year. That was the highest yearly addition ever. The pace is expected to pick up as module prices fall and more states adopt net metering rules.

Joshi did not mention any new schemes in his post. He simply shared the milestone and thanked the people and states who made it happen. "45 lakh households powered by solar energy. A proud moment for India," he wrote.