India's Solar Capacity Hits 70 GW, Rajasthan Tops with 18 GW

Solar Expansion Accelerates

India's installed solar power capacity reached 70 gigawatts (GW) this month, according to data from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The figure marks a 15% increase from 60 GW in March 2023.

Rajasthan leads all states with 18 GW of solar capacity, enough to power roughly 15 million homes. Gujarat follows with 10 GW, then Karnataka with 8 GW. These three states account for more than half of India's total solar installations.

Desert State Dominates

Rajasthan's solar growth stems from its vast arid land and high irradiation levels. The state added 4 GW in the past year alone, driven by projects like the 2.25 GW Bhadla Solar Park in Jodhpur district.

"Rajasthan's geography gives it an edge," said Priya Sharma, a renewable energy analyst at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water. "But land acquisition and grid connectivity remain challenges for faster rollout."

National Targets in Sight

India aims to hit 280 GW of solar capacity by 2030 as part of its pledge to get 50% of electricity from non-fossil sources. The 70 GW milestone puts the country on track to meet near-term goals, though annual additions must double to about 25 GW to stay aligned with long-term targets.

Rooftop solar accounts for just 11 GW nationwide. The government plans to expand this segment through subsidies under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, which launched in February 2024.

• Total solar capacity: 70 GW (March 2024)
• Top states: Rajasthan (18 GW), Gujarat (10 GW), Karnataka (8 GW)
• Rooftop share: 11 GW (15.7% of total)

The International Energy Agency projects India will rank third globally in solar capacity by 2027, behind only China and the U.S.