India adds 2,488 MW solar capacity in Q2, rising 19% QoQ over Q1

01 Sep 2021 CW Team

India added 2,488 MW of solar capacity in the second quarter (Q2) of the calendar year (CY) 2021, an increase of 19% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) as against 2,090 MW established in Q1 2021.

Solar establishments surged by 1,114% year-over-year (YoY) compared to 205 MW added in Q2 2020. Covid-19 pandemic adversely impacted the solar installations in Q2 2020. The capacity increase in Q2 2021 was the highest in a quarter since Q2 2018.

The total solar installations at the end of Q2, 2021 stood at 43.6 GW.

In the first half (1H) of 2021, India added 4,578 MW of solar capacity, rising 251% over the corresponding period last year, exceeding installations in all of 2020.

As per the report by the media, the solar installations grew despite the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown inflicted by several states during 1H. The increase was attributed to targeted lockdowns this year, allowing the solar industry to adequately deal with the contingencies.

The report anticipates solar establishments in the range of 8-9 GW in the calendar year (CY) 2021 since the industry did much better during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The report states that the average selling costs of solar modules have increased for the fifth quarter in a row, and this trend would proceed for another couple of quarters. Likewise, freight costs are also surging, exhibiting no signs of recovery in the short term.

In the last six months, the soaring price trends in commodities, comprising aluminium, steel and copper, have begun to take a toll on solar developers. Additionally, the increase in steel costs has exacerbated the situation for engineering, acquisition, and construction players and module companies in the solar space.

As per the report, the large-scale solar project development pipeline reached 52.8 GW, with 28 GW of projects tendered and pending auction at the end of Q2 2021.

Gujarat and Rajasthan were the first two states in installations, accompanied closely by Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. The top ten states estimated 95% of the total establishments during the quarter.

As per the report, new solar capacity expansions in 1H 2021 were the highest ever for any year, at 53% of the total power capacity increases. Renewables, involving solar, wind, and hydro, made up 71% of the total capacity increase in 1H 2021.

Image Source

Also read: India to increase renewable capacity to 68 GW in five years

Also read: India installs 97 GW grid-interactive renewable energy as of June 30

India added 2,488 MW of solar capacity in the second quarter (Q2) of the calendar year (CY) 2021, an increase of 19% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) as against 2,090 MW established in Q1 2021. Solar establishments surged by 1,114% year-over-year (YoY) compared to 205 MW added in Q2 2020. Covid-19 pandemic adversely impacted the solar installations in Q2 2020. The capacity increase in Q2 2021 was the highest in a quarter since Q2 2018. The total solar installations at the end of Q2, 2021 stood at 43.6 GW. In the first half (1H) of 2021, India added 4,578 MW of solar capacity, rising 251% over the corresponding period last year, exceeding installations in all of 2020. As per the report by the media, the solar installations grew despite the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown inflicted by several states during 1H. The increase was attributed to targeted lockdowns this year, allowing the solar industry to adequately deal with the contingencies. The report anticipates solar establishments in the range of 8-9 GW in the calendar year (CY) 2021 since the industry did much better during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The report states that the average selling costs of solar modules have increased for the fifth quarter in a row, and this trend would proceed for another couple of quarters. Likewise, freight costs are also surging, exhibiting no signs of recovery in the short term. In the last six months, the soaring price trends in commodities, comprising aluminium, steel and copper, have begun to take a toll on solar developers. Additionally, the increase in steel costs has exacerbated the situation for engineering, acquisition, and construction players and module companies in the solar space. As per the report, the large-scale solar project development pipeline reached 52.8 GW, with 28 GW of projects tendered and pending auction at the end of Q2 2021. Gujarat and Rajasthan were the first two states in installations, accompanied closely by Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. The top ten states estimated 95% of the total establishments during the quarter. As per the report, new solar capacity expansions in 1H 2021 were the highest ever for any year, at 53% of the total power capacity increases. Renewables, involving solar, wind, and hydro, made up 71% of the total capacity increase in 1H 2021. Image Source Also read: India to increase renewable capacity to 68 GW in five years Also read: India installs 97 GW grid-interactive renewable energy as of June 30

Infrastructure Transport

07 Apr 2026

Large Format Store Planned At M G Road Metro Station

M G Road station in Bengaluru is set to host the city’s first large-format commercial and experience space, with planning led by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited. BMRCL has invited proposals to develop and operate a central business district destination at the Purple?Pink Line interchange. The plan positions the station as a commercial hub designed to serve a broad commuter base across the city. The proposal is part of a broader effort to activate transit nodes commercially. Tender documents set a minimum monthly rental of Rs 0.944 million (mn), inclusive of GST, for the large-format..

Infrastructure Energy

07 Apr 2026

Government Cancels Auction Of Eleven Critical Mineral Blocks

The government has cancelled the auction of 11 critical and strategic mineral blocks after receiving a poor investor response and failing to attract a sufficient number of qualified bidders. The decision represents a setback to plans to ramp up domestic exploration and production of critical minerals amid global supply chain disruptions and rising demand for materials used in clean energy and advanced technologies. The mines ministry issued an annulment notice setting out the reasons for the cancellations. The annulment notice indicated that the auction process for five mineral blocks was canc..

Infrastructure Energy

07 Apr 2026

Gujarat Pushes Biogas Growth With 193 Operational Units

Gujarat has operationalised 193 biogas plants across the state and is planning to add 60 more units as part of a broader push to scale up clean and sustainable energy solutions. The existing plants, established under various government-supported schemes, process organic waste including cattle dung and agricultural residue to produce biogas and a nutrient-rich slurry. The output is mainly used for cooking and other energy needs in rural and semi-urban communities, while also improving local waste management practices. The Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) is leading the initiative and is..