Solar PV Potential Assessment Report Unveiled: 3,343 GW Ground-Mounted Capacity Estimate
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | SDG 13: Climate Action
Institutions: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
India has released the Solar PV Potential Assessment Report (Ground-Mounted) estimating about 3,343 GW of feasible solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity across the country. The updated analysis uses a geospatial and multi-parameter methodology, developed in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), with high-resolution satellite and land-use data. The new estimate marks a significant increase over the 2014 estimate of ~749 GW.
Alongside this, MNRE has inaugurated the first Training Programme on Solar Cell and Module Manufacturing at NISE (National Institute of Solar Energy) in Gurugram. This aims to strengthen technical capacity, including hands-on training, quality control, and global best practices. The programme aligns with India’s goals of having 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, achieving energy independence by 2047, and reaching net-zero emissions by 2070. India has already crossed 250 GW of non-fossil installed electricity capacity and exceeded its NDC target of 50% non-fossil share in installed capacity ahead of the 2030 deadline.
This report provides a science-based roadmap for solar project siting, infrastructure planning, and private sector investment. For institutions, it underlines the need to align regulatory frameworks, land-use policy and manufacturing incentives. In terms of governance, building domestic manufacturing capacity and skilled workforce will reduce dependence on imports, improve energy security and support India’s climate commitments.
What Does 3,343 GW of Solar Potential Mean for India?
The figure of 3,343 gigawatts (GW) represents the technically feasible capacity of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in India, as assessed through high-resolution satellite imagery and land-use analysis. This is not an installed capacity target, but rather a scientific estimate of how much solar power India could, in principle, generate if all suitable land areas were fully developed.
To put this in perspective, India’s current installed solar capacity is about 82–85 GW, while its total installed electricity capacity from all sources is just over 440 GW. The new estimate is nearly 40 times higher than existing solar installations and more than seven times India’s entire electricity system today. It highlights that India’s solar resource base is vast enough to theoretically power the entire country multiple times over.
Follow the full news here: Release ID 2170261