India's solar capacity addition at five-year lowest

04 Mar 2021 Editorial Team

Last year, India saw its solar power capacity additions shrink by 56% on a year-on-year basis due to Covid-induced lockdowns, but a “significant positive growth” has been noted this year.

Mercom India Research reports that in 2020, at 3,239 MW, India’s newly commissioned solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity reached its lowest level in five years, and the drop in power sale agreements as tariffs in auctions experienced a steep fall. A rise in module prices and the lockdowns have contributed to the decline.

This year, with policies aiming to promote domestic manufacturing and curb imports of solar components, the sector is set for growth. Market analysts anticipate over 10 GW of solar capacity addition in 2021, given the upcoming commissioning of delayed projects in 2020.

4th Indian Cement Review Conference 2021

17-18 March

Click for event info

According to media sources, India commissioned 2.5 GW of large scale solar parks in the past year, or 60% less than a year before. Rooftop installations fell 35% in annual terms to 719 MW and accounted for 22% of the total capacity additions. Regionally, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh were the three states with the largest share of new installations for the year.

In the fourth quarter, 1.5 GW of solar parks were put on stream, down from 1.8 GW a year back. Out of this, 1.2 GW came from the large scale solar sector, and 285 MW was from the rooftop systems.

Overall, solar was responsible for 48% of India’s total power capacity additions in 2020. Its cumulative installed solar capacity at the year end amounted to 39 GW, and around 47.5 GW was in the pipeline.

Image Source

Also read: Cities, states issue tenders for solar projects

Also read: Total solar capacity surpasses wind capacity in India

Last year, India saw its solar power capacity additions shrink by 56% on a year-on-year basis due to Covid-induced lockdowns, but a “significant positive growth” has been noted this year. Mercom India Research reports that in 2020, at 3,239 MW, India’s newly commissioned solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity reached its lowest level in five years, and the drop in power sale agreements as tariffs in auctions experienced a steep fall. A rise in module prices and the lockdowns have contributed to the decline. This year, with policies aiming to promote domestic manufacturing and curb imports of solar components, the sector is set for growth. Market analysts anticipate over 10 GW of solar capacity addition in 2021, given the upcoming commissioning of delayed projects in 2020.4th Indian Cement Review Conference 202117-18 March Click for event info According to media sources, India commissioned 2.5 GW of large scale solar parks in the past year, or 60% less than a year before. Rooftop installations fell 35% in annual terms to 719 MW and accounted for 22% of the total capacity additions. Regionally, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh were the three states with the largest share of new installations for the year. In the fourth quarter, 1.5 GW of solar parks were put on stream, down from 1.8 GW a year back. Out of this, 1.2 GW came from the large scale solar sector, and 285 MW was from the rooftop systems. Overall, solar was responsible for 48% of India’s total power capacity additions in 2020. Its cumulative installed solar capacity at the year end amounted to 39 GW, and around 47.5 GW was in the pipeline. Image Source Also read: Cities, states issue tenders for solar projects Also read: Total solar capacity surpasses wind capacity in India

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Second Mountain Tunnel Breakthrough in Palghar Advances High Speed Rail

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail (MAHSR) project reached a milestone with the breakthrough of a mountain tunnel in Palghar, Maharashtra. Mountain tunnel MT-six measures 454 metres long and 14.4 metres wide and will accommodate up and down tracks. The breakthrough follows MT-five near Saphale on second January 2026 and the MT-six excavation was completed from both ends using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method. The ministry reported that the tunnelling was completed within 12 months. The New Austrian Tunnelling Method is favoured for its flexibility in complex geology and irregular tunnel s..

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Modi Government Pushes Atmanirbhar Container Drive With BCSL MoU

The Union Government advanced a plan to create an integrated, domestically anchored container ecosystem with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL). The MoU was signed by key agencies including the Shipping Corporation of India and Container Corporation of India alongside major port authorities and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in the presence of senior ministers. The initiative aligns with the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme announced in the Union Budget 2026–2..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Feb 2026

Ministry Reports Gains In Mobility For Marginalised Communities

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing skill development, education and rehabilitation schemes to promote socio-economic mobility and sustainable livelihoods for marginalised and disadvantaged communities across the country. Programmes target Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections, De-notified Tribes and Safai Karamcharis through specialised implementing corporations and empanelled training institutes. Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi Yojana, or PM-DAKSH, provided skill training and placement support through the Nati..