India’s renewable energy journey has witnessed a transformative shift over the past two decades, driven by urgent climate goals, growing power demands and the vision of becoming energy self-reliant.
The government’s introduction of the National Solar Mission in 2010 was a turning point, laying the foundation for widespread solar adoption. From small-scale solar pilots to large-scale rooftop installations, India has steadily upgraded its infrastructure, integrating net metering, advancing solar panel technology and enabling smart energy management systems.
Understanding the Shift from Conventional Power to Clean Energy
As of 2023, thermal power still accounted for over 55% of the country’s installed electricity generation capacity. However, growing concerns over climate change, volatile fossil fuel prices, and rising demand for electricity have made it clear that this path is unsustainable.
For decades, our energy landscape has been heavily reliant on conventional energy sources. The finite nature of reserves, while contributing to environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, has led policymakers to opt for cleaner, greener energy production patterns.
Solar energy, particularly solar rooftop solutions, emerged as a practical and scalable solution to meet localised energy needs while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
This shift from polluting power generation to eco-friendly systems marks a critical step toward India’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
A Timeline of Innovation and Adoption in Solar Rooftop Solutions
The initial wave began in the early 2000s with limited government-supported pilot projects in off-grid rural areas. However, the real momentum came with the launch of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) in 2010, which set ambitious targets and laid the groundwork for nationwide solar rooftop solutions.
By 2015, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) introduced dedicated rooftop solar policies, offering capital subsidies for residential users and net metering guidelines to promote grid-connected systems.
Between 2016 and 2022, India’s rooftop solar capacity surged from under 1 GW to over 8 GW, driven by falling installation costs and increased awareness.
The journey of rooftop solar in India reflects a steady progression from experimentation to mainstream adoption.
Modern Solar Infrastructure: Smarter, Scalable, Sustainable
Modern systems now come equipped with high-efficiency monocrystalline panels, MPPT-based smart inverters, real-time performance monitoring apps, and AI-integrated energy management systems, making solar rooftop solutions more user-friendly and reliable than ever before.
Battery storage solutions are also gaining popularity, enabling consumers to store excess power and reduce grid dependency during peak hours. With the integration of IoT, automation, and data analytics, rooftop systems now offer predictive maintenance, optimised energy usage, and seamless connectivity to smart grids.
Modular designs allow easy expansion, making systems scalable for both homes and large industrial complexes. According to the MNRE, India aims to install 40 GW of rooftop solar capacity under its renewable energy targets, of which nearly 11GW has already been achieved.
Rooftop Solar acting as the Catalyst for an Energy Independent India
Future trends point towards solar integration with energy storage, as new solar projects increasingly incorporate batteries, often mandating two-hour storage to ensure grid stability and continuous supply during peak demand.
At the state level, initiatives in Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, and Nagpur are showcasing scalable models of community adoption, public infrastructure integration, and educational institution deployment.
The government’s ambitious PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana aims to empower 10 million households by providing up to 300 units of free electricity monthly, backed by ₹75,000 Crore in subsidies. Large-scale domestic manufacturing incentives, including PLI schemes and customs duty reductions reduce reliance on imports, thereby building a resilient solar value chain.
Smart storage, financial incentives, local manufacturing, and community-led adoption are transforming rooftops into decentralised energy hubs as citizens shift from consumers to prosumers in an energy-efficient future.
At Nimbus Solar Solutions, we believe that energy independence is not just a national goal; it’s a collective responsibility. Through the solar rooftop solutions we install, every system we optimise, and every community we empower, we are helping India move closer to a cleaner, self-reliant future.
One panel at a time, we’re lighting the way toward a sustainable tomorrow, putting people and the planet first.
