India’s solar energy capacity has reached 160 GW, up sharply from just 2 GW before 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, highlighting the rapid expansion of solar power as an important component of the country’s energy-security and clean-energy strategy.
Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day, Modi also highlighted the progress of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, saying solar energy systems had been installed in 50 lakh homes within a relatively short period.
Modi said India had increased its solar capacity from 2 GW before 2014 to 160 GW today, describing the expansion as evidence of the pace at which the country has built alternative energy capacity.
The Prime Minister placed particular emphasis on bringing the benefits of solar energy directly to households.
Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, he said 50 lakh homes had crossed the milestone of installing solar energy systems, with implementation continuing at a rapid pace.
According to Modi, the programme is already helping households reduce their electricity costs, with some families reaching a point where their electricity bills become zero. Households can also generate surplus electricity and earn by selling the excess power they produce.
The government is providing assistance of ₹80,000 to each family under the initiative, Modi said.
The household solar programme represents a shift from viewing solar power solely as a large-scale generation source towards greater participation by individual consumers.
The Prime Minister’s remarks also connected solar expansion with the broader objective of energy security. Earlier in his address, he said electricity demand would rise significantly as India expands sectors such as semiconductor manufacturing, AI and data centres.
Solar energy, therefore, is being positioned both as a source of additional generation capacity and as a means of allowing households to participate directly in electricity production.
The government’s wider energy strategy also includes nuclear power, oil and gas exploration, piped gas expansion and emerging technologies such as hydrogen.
With solar capacity now at 160 GW, the Prime Minister’s Independence Day address placed the technology firmly within India’s long-term effort to build a more diversified and self-reliant energy system.
