TERI Unveils a Report on Reassessing India’s Solar Potential: Total Estimated Capacity Pegged at 10,830 GW
New Delhi, June 10, 2025: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) released a landmark report titled, ‘Reassessment of Solar Potential in India: A Macro-level Study’, which aims to offer a renewed perspective on the country’s solar energy potential. The study estimates India’s total solar potential at 10,830 gigawatts (GW), far exceeding previous assessments while identifying new opportunities across both conventional and innovative applications of solar energy.
New assessment identifies untapped solar avenues critical to achieving India’s 2070 net-zero goal and advancing its Paris Agreement commitments
The report comes at a critical juncture as India accelerates its transition to clean energy in line with its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, and its target of net-zero emissions by 2070. The reassessment covers a wide range of categories, including ground-mounted solar PV on barren and unculturable land with an estimated potential of 4,909 GW, floating solar PV with 100 GW, rural and urban rooftop solar PV with a combined potential of 960 GW, Agri-PV for horticulture crops, coffee, and tea plantations with 4,177 GW. The estimates for rail and road solar PV with 154 GW, building-integrated PV with 309 GW, and urban PV with 221 GW were taken from GIZ India’s study with CSTEP, EY and Fraunhofer for the potential of New and Innovative Solar Areas.
Setting the context for the launch of the report, Mr Ajay Shankar, Distinguished Fellow, TERI, averred, “India’s energy landscape is poised for a paradigm shift. Solar is the cheapest form of clean energy available in India. While fossil fuel companies have done well, the debate needs to shift to the cheapest ways of clean energy and the myth around solar as a constraint must be dispelled.”
Sharing her perspective on the Indian context, Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, in her opening remarks, said, “India is in a unique capacity with our sunny days to make it happen. Use of agrivoltaics can help increase the farmer’s income by enhancing the production of fruits and vegetables. Land is a finite resource, so we need to look at other options to produce more energy as the demand for electricity will go up.”
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mohammad Rihan, Director General, National Institute of Solar Energy, (NISE), underscored, “By 2060 we need around 5000 GW, and our climate is suitable for solar. There is no doubt that solar, being the leading source, will also be the dominating source in the grid. Therefore, potential assessment is important and necessary so that we can address the challenges in the sector.”
India’s revised NDCs, updated in 2022, target a 45% reduction in emission intensity by 2030 (compared to 2005 levels) and achieving 50% of installed electric power capacity from non-fossil sources. TERI’s earlier projections indicate that electricity demand could reach up to 9,362 TWh by 2070, thus highlighting the critical role of solar energy in decarbonizing India’s power sector.
The report was launched through a detailed presentation by its authors Ms Hemakshi Malik, Research Associate, and Mr Robin Mazumdar, Consultant, TERI, who highlighted key findings, methodology, and implications of the reassessment. Their presentation was followed by an engaging Q&A session with stakeholders from policy, academia, and industry.
Previously, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had pegged India’s solar potential at 748 GW (2014), based on 3% of identified wastelands. TERI’s reassessment takes a broader and more realistic approach, incorporating innovations, such as floating solar, Agri-PV, and urban-integrated applications, to present a more actionable roadmap.
By highlighting underutilized and non-traditional solar applications, this report serves as a crucial tool for policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society to support a just and scalable energy transition.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mr AK Saxena, Senior Director, TERI, who acknowledged the contributions of all speakers, collaborators, and participants.
TERI continues to lead the way in supporting India’s energy transition through strategic research and innovation. As India moves steadily toward its net-zero goals, such studies promise to offer a robust foundation for informed action across government, industry, and civil society.
Access full report here: https://teriin.org/policy-brief/reassessment-solar-potential-india-macro-level-study