India’s installed solar power capacity has reached nearly 136 gigawatts, accounting for almost half of the country’s total renewable energy capacity, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said on Thursday.
Addressing the Foundation Day celebrations of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in New Delhi, the minister said the rapid growth of solar energy in India reflects sustained policy commitment and innovation in the clean energy sector.
Joshi noted that the International Solar Alliance has played a major role in advancing the global transition to solar energy and strengthening cooperation among countries working toward sustainable development.
“Over the past decade, the International Solar Alliance has helped turn the promise of solar energy into real, life-changing impact across the world. By advancing solar deployment where it matters most, ISA has played a catalytic role in shifting the global energy transition toward emerging and developing economies,” the minister said.
Launched as a global initiative, the alliance has now grown into a coalition of more than 120 countries working together to accelerate the adoption of solar energy.
Highlighting key government initiatives, Joshi said flagship programmes such as PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana are enabling households to generate clean electricity, while PM-KUSUM is helping farmers adopt solar-powered irrigation systems.
He also observed that the pace of solar adoption worldwide is accelerating. While it took nearly 25 years for the world to install the first 1,000 gigawatts of solar capacity, the next 1,000 gigawatts is expected to be achieved much faster.
The minister added that the centre of the global clean energy transition is gradually shifting toward the Global South, where rising energy demand and abundant solar resources present new opportunities for sustainable development.
In this context, he said the International Solar Alliance has emerged as a platform that brings together governments, development partners, financial institutions and the private sector to expand solar deployment.
Speaking at the event, Ashish Khanna, Director General of the International Solar Alliance, said member countries and partner organisations are driving the alliance’s progress.
“Our members across Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe are the true custodians of ISA’s progress,” he said, adding that partner organisations and young solar professionals are also contributing to the mission.
The International Solar Alliance was jointly launched by India and France during the COP21 climate conference in Paris in 2015 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
