India Adds Six Point Six GW Of Rooftop Solar In First Half
ECONOMY & POLICY

India Adds Six Point Six GW Of Rooftop Solar In First Half

India installed six point six gigawatt (GW) of rooftop solar capacity in the first half of calendar year 2026, up 136 per cent from two point eight GW in the same period of 2025, Mercom India reported. The second quarter added three point eight GW, a 41 per cent quarter on quarter rise, and was 136 per cent higher year on year from one point six GW in Q2 2025.

Rooftop systems accounted for 33 per cent of the country’s solar installations during the quarter, with residential installations dominating the market and contributing 84 per cent of total additions. Industrial installations made up 10 per cent, commercial installations accounted for five per cent and government projects represented one per cent. Installations under the capex model comprised the majority of quarterly additions in Q2 2026.

Mercom said the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar programme drove growth, reaching nearly four point five million (mn) households by June 2026, about 45 per cent of the ten million (mn) goal. The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List II, effective one June 2026, increased pressure on domestic cell availability and domestic content requirement module prices, although transition measures eased some near term strain. Eligible net metering and open access projects received a transition window to 31 December 2026 and some residential consumers could forgo the subsidy and use non DCR modules until March 2027.

Raj Prabhu, chief executive of Mercom Capital Group, said India had a strong residential rooftop pipeline but converting it into installations would require faster approvals, better financing and quicker delivery. He added that higher grid tariffs should bolster commercial demand while rising system costs and regulatory constraints could limit industrial growth, and that the ALMM transition window could aid projects but might prompt a rush, increase price volatility and leave future growth dependent on rapid domestic cell capacity ramping and states removing approval, metering and connectivity bottlenecks.

India installed six point six gigawatt (GW) of rooftop solar capacity in the first half of calendar year 2026, up 136 per cent from two point eight GW in the same period of 2025, Mercom India reported. The second quarter added three point eight GW, a 41 per cent quarter on quarter rise, and was 136 per cent higher year on year from one point six GW in Q2 2025. Rooftop systems accounted for 33 per cent of the country’s solar installations during the quarter, with residential installations dominating the market and contributing 84 per cent of total additions. Industrial installations made up 10 per cent, commercial installations accounted for five per cent and government projects represented one per cent. Installations under the capex model comprised the majority of quarterly additions in Q2 2026. Mercom said the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar programme drove growth, reaching nearly four point five million (mn) households by June 2026, about 45 per cent of the ten million (mn) goal. The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List II, effective one June 2026, increased pressure on domestic cell availability and domestic content requirement module prices, although transition measures eased some near term strain. Eligible net metering and open access projects received a transition window to 31 December 2026 and some residential consumers could forgo the subsidy and use non DCR modules until March 2027. Raj Prabhu, chief executive of Mercom Capital Group, said India had a strong residential rooftop pipeline but converting it into installations would require faster approvals, better financing and quicker delivery. He added that higher grid tariffs should bolster commercial demand while rising system costs and regulatory constraints could limit industrial growth, and that the ALMM transition window could aid projects but might prompt a rush, increase price volatility and leave future growth dependent on rapid domestic cell capacity ramping and states removing approval, metering and connectivity bottlenecks.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Building Material

From Rough to Refined: How Modern Plastering Is Changing Wall Finishes

When Rohan first walked into his newly constructed home, he imagined what it would become—a warm living room, a bright bedroom, and walls smooth enough to complement his carefully chosen interiors.But there was one problem.The walls didn't look anything like the finished home he had imagined.They were uneven in places, rough to the touch, and covered with visible patches and minor surface imperfections. Rohan initially thought paint would fix everything.His contractor had a different answer.“Before the paint, we need to get the plastering right.”That conversation made Rohan realise somet..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Embraer to Acquire 51 Per Cent Stake in Mahindra Aerospace Arm

Brazilian aerospace major Embraer will acquire a 51 per cent equity stake in Novavayu Aerospace, a step-down subsidiary of Mahindra and Mahindra, under an Investment Agreement notified by the automobile company in an exchange filing. The transaction will give Embraer control of the aerospace business. Following completion of the acquisition, Novavayu Aerospace will cease to be a wholly owned subsidiary and become an associate of Mahindra Defence Systems, which is a step-down wholly owned subsidiary of Mahindra and Mahindra. The agreement is expected to be completed on or before December 1. Mah..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

RBI Opens Special Dollar Window for Three State-Run OMCs

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has opened a special facility to meet the entire daily US dollar requirements of three public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs), in a move aimed at easing pressure on the Indian rupee. The facility will take effect on October 12, 2026, and remain available until further notice. Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation and Bharat Petroleum Corporation are eligible to use the arrangement. Under the facility, the RBI will sell US dollars to the three companies through designated banks, allowing them to meet their oil-import payments without sourc..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code