India’s Solar PV Potential Put At 3,343 GWp, Says Study
Nationwide assessment identifies wastelands and infrastructure linkages for renewable growth
India’s ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) potential stands at 3,343.37-gigawatt peak (GWp), according to a new report released by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The study, carried out with the support of the National Institute of Solar Energy and the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), marks the most comprehensive assessment of its kind to date.
The Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, presented the findings during the launch of the Solar PV Assessment in India (Ground Mounted) report and the inauguration of a training programme on solar cell and module manufacturing.
Isro deployed high-resolution geospatial satellite data to evaluate land use, focusing on identifying wastelands suitable for solar development. The exercise considered factors such as land slope and aspect to maximise solar exposure, while also mapping proximity to roads, substations, power infrastructure and evacuation corridors.
“This is the most detailed and well-studied assessment to date,” said Joshi. “It provides a nationwide estimate of feasible solar capacity and will guide green energy corridor planning, inform state-level agencies in shaping policies, and help investors by mapping opportunities and de-risking projects.”
The report is the first nationwide exercise to establish a total feasible ground-mounted solar PV potential above 3,300 GW. The finding underscores India’s vast renewable energy prospects, with implications for long-term power planning, agricultural energy use and industrial decarbonisation.
It can be seen as a crucial tool in advancing India’s climate commitments, ensuring that land selection, investment confidence and energy infrastructure expansion are underpinned by robust data.
