
India Rises to 3rd Spot Globally in Solar Power Generation, Cementing Its Clean Energy Leadership – EQ
In Short : India has emerged as the world’s third-largest solar energy generator, surpassing Japan, according to Ember’s latest report. With over 5% of its electricity now sourced from solar power, India trails only China and the U.S. This milestone highlights India’s accelerating clean energy transition and its growing role in global efforts to combat climate change.
In Detail : India has officially become the world’s third-largest producer of solar energy, overtaking Japan, as per a recent report by global energy think tank Ember. This marks a major milestone in India’s journey toward clean energy leadership.
The country now generates more than 5% of its total electricity from solar power. This achievement reflects significant growth in capacity addition over the past decade, driven by supportive policies and falling technology costs.
Only China and the United States rank ahead of India in solar power generation. India’s rapid progress highlights its strategic investments in renewable energy infrastructure and grid integration.
According to the report, India contributed 12% of the global increase in solar generation in 2023. The country added more than 18 terawatt-hours (TWh) of solar electricity last year, placing it among the top three contributors globally.
This growth aligns with India’s target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement. Solar energy is expected to play a dominant role in meeting these targets.
Central and state government initiatives such as PM-KUSUM, solar park development, and rooftop solar subsidies have helped accelerate adoption across utility, commercial, and residential segments.
Experts also credit falling solar module prices, improved financing mechanisms, and private sector participation as major enablers behind the surge in installations and energy output.
While challenges such as land acquisition, grid readiness, and policy consistency remain, India’s performance signals strong momentum toward a low-carbon power sector.
With this achievement, India reinforces its position as a global clean energy leader and a key player in shaping the future of sustainable electricity generation.