Will India Meet Revised Solar Rooftop Deadline of 2026? | Entrepreneur

India's journey towards solar energy prominence is a tale of ambitious targets and the daunting reality of their execution. The nation, now ranking 4th globally in solar capacity, witnessed a staggering growth in installed solar capacity, from 2.6 GW in 2014 to 74.4 GW early in 2024. Yet, the segment of rooftop solar power generation lags notably behind. The initial goal of achieving a 100 GW solar capacity by 2022 fell short, with rooftop solar comprising a mere fraction of the envisioned figures.

What's holding back the rooftop solar revolution? According to experts and industry insiders, like Ali Imran Naqvi and Raman Bhatia, the answer is multifaceted. Subsidies for coal-generated electricity keep conventional power costs artificially low, disadvantaging renewable counterparts. Additionally, the high upfront costs of solar installations pose significant barriers, especially for rural households with constrained financial resources. Lack of awareness, technical and bureaucratic hurdles further stymie adoption. Despite government initiatives like the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijlee Yojana, the pathway to widespread rooftop solar remains fraught with challenges.

Focus on Solutions: The article spotlights critical areas for improvement—enhanced net metering policies, dynamic incentives, public awareness campaigns, and R&D into more accessible technologies. Particularly in rural areas, strategies encompassing education, tailored financing options, and innovative installation models are deemed essential.

From my perspective, both as an entrepreneur and advocate for sustainable energy, these insights underscore the need for a multi-pronged approach to realize India's solar ambitions. It is a call to investors and policymakers alike to recalibrate strategies, fostering an ecosystem where renewable energy can thrive.

For those passionate about the future of energy, the full analysis offers a deeper dive into these challenges and solutions. Let's explore how we can pivot India's trajectory towards meeting its solar potential.